SAN DIEGO — An abandoned property that’s been an eye-sore and has attracted unwanted neighbors erupted in flames this morning.
The San Diego Fire Department responded to a house fire around 5:30 a.m. in the 4000 block of 32nd Street in North Park.
Neighbors said they feared a fire would happen, on this abandoned property and that’s exactly what happened early this morning.
“It was really scary, it looked like our whole house was going to turn down, watching it from the front at the ahh there is goes,” said a neighbor.
She did not want to identify herself but lived behind the abandoned house that caught fire. Her home was spared but the fire melted her fence and debris littered her back patio.
Several neighbors said they’ve been concerned about squatters coming and going from the three dilapidated cottages on the property near 32nd and Polk in North Park.
Firefighters said they found a man in another abandoned home on the property.
Police detained the man at the scene of the fire. A city spokesperson says it was for something unrelated to the fire.
The abandoned cottages are boarded up, there’s graffiti and the property is fenced off in the alley.
CBS 8 spoke to the owner’s contractor who was on the scene after the fire.
He said he has to board up the windows and doors weekly but squatters return and set up their own living arrangements including putting locks on the windows.
Get It Done reports showed multiple complaints about encampments, it says police made contact with enforcement or outreach.
Neighbors hope this is the final straw and something is done to make this place safe.
“Homeless people come and live there and it's been a bit unnerving and this was our main concern that would cook and start a fire. The cops will come, clear everything out and they return again,” said the neighbor.
The fire department did not release the cause of the fire.
Permits for the abandoned property show applications for a permit were approved on April 11 to demolish and build a 72-unit, six-level complex on the lot. The City of San Diego told CBS 8 that code enforcement has an active investigation into complaints made against the property.
San Diego Police said an arrest made was related to a warrant, not the fire and arson isn't suspected.
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