East County Apartment Blaze Leaves Woman Without Lodging

LA MESA, CA — An East County apartment fire caused an estimated $50,000 worth of damage today and left a woman in need of emergency lodging.

The non-injury blaze in the 7900 block of La Mesa Boulevard erupted for unknown reasons about 10:30 a.m., said Sonny Saghera, spokesman for Heartland Fire & Rescue.

Firefighters rescued a pet cat while extinguishing the flames, which took about 10 minutes, according to Saghera. Though the crews were able to confine the blaze to a single bedroom, it caused heavy smoke damage throughout the two-story structure, he said.

The American Red Cross was called in to help the displaced residents arrange for interim housing.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock