Explosion Sparks Fire at RB Community Presbyterian Church

An exploding air compressor at the started a fire Monday night, causing $15,000 in damage and prompting the evacuation of about 60 people, a fire official said.

No one was injured in the fire, which was first reported just after 6 p.m. Monday, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Capt. Chris Babler said.

Crews arrived within three minutes, and had the fire out around 6:49 p.m., Babler said. The fire started in a first-floor storage room where a large air compressor exploded, Babler said.

The fire triggered the church's fire alarms as smoke filtered up to the second floor, where dozens of people were, Babler said. Everyone evacuated, and no one suffered injuries or smoke inhalation, he said.

Four engines, two ladder trucks, one ambulance and one battalion chief, including units from San Diego, Poway and Rancho Santa Fe, responded, Babler said.

The cause of the fire was mechanical failure and there was $10,000 of damage to the structure, and $5,000 contents damage, Babler said.

Power has been restored to the building, and it is available for use on Tuesday, Babler said, though individuals evacuated Monday were not allowed back into the building.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter @RBPatch.