FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact Battalion Chief Britt Matthews (760) 560-7432

On December 31, 2022 at approximately 8:17 PM, the Escondido Police and Fire Emergency Communication Center received reports of a vacant commercial building on fire at the corner of E. Valley Parkway and N. Ash Street. A full structure fire response was dispatched to the location. The first due Engine Company reported a working fire venting through the roof on arrival.

Firefighters entered the structure and found fire in the attic space. Due to the advanced nature of the attic fire a Second Alarm was requested. Firefighters conducted suppression operations from the exterior of the building due to sections of the roof collapsing.

It took forty Firefighters approximately 90 minutes to control the fire. Due to large areas of structural collapse, overhaul and mop up took nearly four and a half hours.

Units from San Marcos Fire Department, Rancho Santa Fe Fire District, Vista Fire Department, and Carlsbad Fire Department responded to assist. Escondido Police Department assisted with crowd control and managed the closure of a major intersection for the duration of the incident. SDG&E assisted with securing gas and electrical services to the building.

One Firefighter sustained a minor injury. No civilians were injured.

The cause and origin of the fire in being investigated by Escondido Fire Investigators in conjunction with the Escondido Police Department.