A large fire at a large, historic home in Alpine sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky over East County Tuesday as crews struggled to extinguish it.
A large crew of firefighters with the Alpine Fire Department were working to contain the fire at the Alpine house known as the Sky Mesa Ranch, which was a very large structure with a tile roof.
The fire began Tuesday afternoon in the 1600 block of La Force Road and firefighters dubbed it the La Force Ranch Fire. The home's old wood caused it to burn for so long, firefighters said.
Firefighters planned to be there into Wednesday to temper stubborn flames. The fire completely destroyed the home, rendering it a total loss, the agency said.
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The 80-year-old home was 3,800 square feet with five related families -- at least nine people -- living inside the home, who are now all displaced. It was built by Alpine settlers Beatrice and Clayburn La Force near railroad tracks.
El Camino Grace Church Senior Pastor David Bray lived here with three generations of his family. His son Todd and his wife were home at the time and called the fire department.
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“I think it is all burned. I don’t know at this point if anything is salvageable,” homeowner David Bray said.
The cause is still being investigated but Alpine’s fire chief says when they arrived the outside wall of the laundry room was burning.
“Emotionally we are devastated obviously," Bray said. "I am thankful. I have faith in the Lord Jesus. I am a pastor and I know he has a purpose for everything."
No firefighters or residents were hurt in the fire nor was there any threat to surrounding residences. No evacuations of nearby buildings occurred, according to the District.
