SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — An elderly woman is dead after a fire broke out in a Mira Mesa home early Monday morning, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue.
Crews first responded to the single-family house along Westonhill Drive just after 2:30 a.m. Upon arrival, heavy smoke and flames were seen coming from the back of the structure and the roof.
As firefighters began their efforts to extinguish the fire, they learned from two occupants who were able to escape the home safely that the woman may be trapped inside, prompting a search and rescue effort.
When she was found, the woman appeared to have died “well before the fire department arrived,” according to SDFD Battalion Chief Erik Windsor.
Although the battalion chief noted the firefighting effort was slowed slightly due to considerable clutter throughout the home.
“Would not call it a hoarder house, but there was a lot of clutter inside and a lot of obstacles for our crews to get through, over and around,” Windsor said.
The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation by SDFD’s Metro Arson Strike Team. It is also unclear the extent of the damage to the home.
“Fires like this are tragic, especially when there is a loss of life,” Windsor said, adding it serves as a germane reminder to make sure all smoke detectors and fire alarms in one’s home are in working order.
“It is important to make sure that we always have working smoke detectors and fire alarms to notify you if there is a fire in your home,” he continued.
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