A midday fire at a Lemon Grove motel Friday displaced three people and caused about $100,000 worth of damage.
Deputies on patrol near state Routes 94 and 125 noticed smoke emanating from the Grove Motel, 8002 Broadway, shortly after noon, according to San Diego County Sheriff’s Sgt. Anthony Portillo.
The personnel arrived at the motel to find one of the rooms engulfed in flames, Portillo said.
“Witnesses reported hearing a loud banging sound coming from the unit that was on fire, as well as seeing the occupant leaving minutes prior to the fire,” Portillo said.
Firefighters had the blaze under control by 12:40 p.m., said Andy McKellar, spokesman for Heartland Fire & Rescue.
Due to the suspicious circumstances, detectives with the sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit were called in. The cause remained under investigation in the late afternoon, McKellar said.
The American Red Cross was helping the displaced people arrange for emergency shelter. No injuries were reported.
– City News Service
