An investigation was under way into what sparked a brush fire that burned about four acres near homes and a shopping center Thursday in Lakeside today, knocking out power to more than 8,000 addresses, authorities said.
The fire near the 7-Eleven at Lake Jennings Park Road and El Monte Road erupted shortly before 7 a.m., according to San Diego County sheriff’s Lt. Rich Williams, who initially reported that a blown transformer was to blame.
Shortly after 8 a.m., crews stopped the fire at four acres, according to Cal Fire. The state firefighting agency was one of several entities that assisted Lakeside Fire in battling the blaze, which was dubbed the El Monte Fire.
No injuries were reported and no structures damaged.
According to San Diego Gas & Electric, the fire was not sparked by one of its transformers and the cause was under investigation. At the height of the incident, at least 8,395 of its Lakeside-area customers were without electricity. Power was eventually restored.
— City News Service
