Flames engulfed a vacant business building in Vista Tuesday night and officials suspect the fire may have been intentionally set.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said the blaze began just after 10:20 p.m. at an empty business located at 631 S. Santa Fe Ave.
More than 30 firefighters from multiple North County agencies were called out to fight the flames, fearing the fire would spread to surrounding buildings, including the offices of a construction company located next door.
The fire did spread to one side of that neighboring business, but crews were able to knock out the flames within about 20 minutes, Ned Vander Pol of the Vista Fire Department said.
All of the businesses were unoccupied at the time of the fire, Vander Pol said, and no one was injured.
The San Diego Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit was called to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire. Investigators said a witness reported seeing an unknown man standing in front of the business just before the fire broke out.
Officials said arson is suspected, but no arrests have been made thus far.
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The fire caused approximately $100,000 in damages to the building.
Anyone with information on this fire should call the sheriff’s department at (858) 565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
