Van Crashes Into Scripps Ranch Ravine, Sparks Brush Fire

SAN DIEGO, CA — A van plunged about 100 feet down a ravine and caught fire Thursday morning in Scripps Ranch.

The blaze began in the van's engine compartment shortly before 5 a.m. but did not spread to the brush in the canyon area off Scripps Lake Drive near Scripps Ranch Boulevard, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesman Lee Swanson said.

Fire crews on the ground and in a helicopter equipped with a thermal imaging device searched the area, but did not locate the van's driver or any passengers, Swanson said.

It was not immediately clear how the fire started and investigators were summoned to the scene, according to Swanson.

— City News Service