A 96-year-old mother and her adult son were able to safely escape a fire that raced through their mobile home in San Marcos, destroying everything in its path.
The fire began around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at a home in Palomar Estates Mobile Home Park on South Rancho Santa Fe Road. At first, fire crews received reports that someone was trapped inside the burning mobile home.
When firefighters arrived, however, they found the mother and son had been able to evacuate. The son suffered minor burns and was taken to UC San Diego Medical Center.
The fire did not spread to neighboring mobile homes, but the intense heat did cause some damage to the exteriors of a couple of nearby properties, including an awning that was melted by the blaze.
Neighbor Scott Burns told NBC 7, neighbors would sometimes bring food to the mother, Marge Pitzer.
They also rushed to her help during the fire. Burns said it was hurtful to see Pitzer watch her home burn down.
"It's heartbreaking," said Burns. "We don't know where we're going to go from here to help her out, but right now, Red Cross and the neighbors, as daylight is coming up, we're going to move forward."
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Fire officials said the home is a complete loss. Investigators said the fire started in the back of the home, and are trying to find out what sparked it.
Neighbors told NBC 7 they fear a cigarette may have caused the fire.
For now, the Red Cross is helping the displaced family find a place to stay.
No further details were immediately released.
