Fire At La Mesa Office Depot Causes Over $1M In Damage

LA MESA, CA — A fire at an office supplies store prompted evacuations and caused more than an estimated $1 million in damage Wednesday in La Mesa.

The blaze sparked for unknown reasons around 4:40 p.m. at the Office Depot at 8481 Fletcher Parkway, according to Heartland Fire & Rescue. In total, 18 fire crews responded to the fire, including units from Lakeside, San Diego and San Miguel.

"The sprinkler system inside the building did activate and helped to keep the fire in check," Heartland Fire & Rescue spokesperson Andy McKellar said.

Crews knocked down the blaze by roughly 5:25 p.m., McKellar said.

Authorities evacuated the store along with several nearby businesses and shut down the street between Grossmont Center and Jackson drives while firefighters battled the flames, according to the La Mesa Police Department.

No serious injuries were reported. An Office Depot employee, however, was evaluated by paramedics at the scene and then released, McKellar said.

The blaze caused more than an estimated $1 million in damage to the structure and contents of the store, McKellar said. The cause of the fire was under investigation.