Chula Vista

Four Firefighters Hurt Battling Building Fire in Chula Vista

NBC Universal, Inc.

Four firefighters were hurt Monday night extinguishing a fire at a family-owned retail store in west Chula Vista.

The fire broke out at around 5:40 p.m. at 655 H Street, according to the Chula Vista Fire Department.

When the first crews arrived at Action Footwear, they only saw light smoke showing from the building, according to Chula Vista fire Capt. Linda d’Orsi, who said that four employees who were inside when the fire sparked were able to leave without being harmed.

The fire broke out at around 5:40 p.m. at 655 H Street, according to the Chula Vista Fire Department.

The fire is believed to have started on the second floor and was driven by the high winds that blew through San Diego on Monday. The rapidly spreading fire prompted the call for a second alarm and then, when the roof collapsed, a third.

A member of the family that owns the shoe store said they've had it since the 1990s. He believes an electrical issue may have sparked the blaze, but investigators have yet to make an official determination.

The fire did not spread to any neighboring businesses, CVFD said.

Four firefighters were injured in the incident: One suffered second-degree burns, two had minor burns -- they were all brought to UC San Diego Medical Center -- and the other sustained an ankle injury and was taken to Sharp Chula Vista.

Fire crews from Chula Vista, who were assisted by firefighters from National City and San Diego Fire Rescue, will likely be at the scene throughout the night to make sure there are no flare-ups.

The 600 block of H Street has been closed -- there is no estimate yet on its reopening. national city and san diego fire

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

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