Fire at La Mesa Liquor Store Injures Firefighter, Causes $800K In Damages

LA MESA, CA — A firefighter was injured as crews battled a two-alarm fire Tuesday night at La Mesa Market & Liquor on Lake Murray Boulevard, near El Paso Street.

Heartland Fire and Rescue crews, along with firefighters from La Mesa, El Cajon and San Diego fire departments, were dispatched at 11:15 p.m. to the fire in the 6000 block of Lake Murray Boulevard and arrived within five minutes to find the store ablaze, with flames coming through the roof, said Sonny Saghera, spokesman for Heartland Fire.

"A second alarm was quickly called, bringing additional fire engines and firefighters," Saghera said.

Crews fought the blaze from the exterior due to the heavy fire conditions upon arrival, he said.

La Mesa police closed Lake Murray Boulevard at El Paso Street during the incident.

The fire was extinguished in 20 minutes, but crews remained on scene throughout the night.

A firefighter suffered a minor medical injury and was transported to Grossmont Hospital to be evaluated.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Wednesday.

Damage was estimated at $500,000 to the structure and $300,000 to its contents.

"Due to the quick action of firefighters, the fire was contained to the building of origin with minor damage to the adjacent structures," Saghera said.