OCEANSIDE — Two separate house fires within a three-day period kept firefighters busy.
In both cases the houses were destroyed and there were no significant injuries.
The first fire occurred at a duplex on Coral Drive on Aug. 24. Thick black smoke and extreme heat slowed firefighters’ progress in putting out the second alarm fire. Conditions forced firefighters to attack the fire from outside of the structure.
As the fire spread to the attic and two adjoining garages, firefighters cut holes in the roof, which limited the damage to the second residence.
Three residents were displaced. Damages are estimated at $350,000.
Thirty-five firefighters from Oceanside, Vista and Carlsbad responded. Crews were on the scene for 50 minutes. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The second house fire occurred on Ellen Lane, Mission View East mobile home park on Aug. 27.
The mobile home was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
Bystanders helped evacuate the home and nearby residences prior to firefighters’ arrival and reported that one resident was possibly still inside.
Oceanside police evacuated several other homes.
After firefighters determined the house was evacuated they fought the fire from outside the structure in an effort to protect adjacent mobile homes.
Firefighters were able to tap into the main fire hydrant at the front of the mobile home park and deal with the fire.
The raised construction and wood floor of the mobile home caused the fire to heat up and spread quickly.
“Mobile homes burn very fast due to the nature of construction and they’re close together,” Bill Doberman, Oceanside battalion chief, said.
“It’s destroyed, there’s very little left.”
The homeowner reported hearing a popping sound coming from the washer and dryer outlet, which burst into flames when she went to unplug it.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but is believed to be electrical.
Four residents, including two seniors, were displaced. Damage is estimated at $200,000.
A nearby home sustained about $15,000 in damages including a burned electrical panel. Nineteen firefighters from Oceanside and Carlsbad responded.
The fire was under control within 15 minutes and crews remained on the scene mopping up for an hour.
One firefighter suffered minor burns and was released back to duty.
