A large boulder rolled into a Poway house Thursday morning, crashing into the home's garage and crushing multiple pipes along the way, fire authorities said.
Authorities were called to the home in the 13700 block of Vian Road after a six-by-six-foot rock rolled down a hill, ripping through a tree before coming to a stop inside the home's garage.
PHOTOS: Boulder Smashes into Poway Home
Resident JeNielle Rose-Gendelman has lived in the home for 54 years and was in the room next to the garage when she heard the loud crash.
"I went into the garage and I saw the washing machine on the floor and then I looked over and saw the rock and couldn’t believe it," she said.
Crews said the boulder missed the propane tank outside the home by about 12 feet. However, the rock broke propane lines and other pipes in its path.
Rose-Gendelman was not injured by the boulder, but was still shocked when she spoke to NBC 7 about the rock. She said her dog typically sleeps in the garage, but was fortunately inside the house with her at the time.
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"It’s a big mess, and a big boulder, and I don’t know how it’s going to get out," she said through tears. "I mean, how incredible! I haven’t even had time to call my friends and ask them to pray for me."
Coincidentally, this is the second boulder that has rolled near Rose-Gendelman's house. The first one was smaller and didn't damage any structures, unlike this one.
Gendelman said she has insurance and hopes to get her house repaired. Though she said she doesn't want to move away from the home her father built himself 54 years ago.
Kevin Hitchcock, Poway Fire Department division chief, said he did not know where the boulder came from. Up the hill, though, a trail of crushed debris led to another boulder.
"All of a sudden this boulder started coming down, but no cause, I have no idea why that rock would have come down today."
Fire crews became concerned about a strong odor coming from the home shortly after they arrived. They said it was a mix of gasoline, pesticides and propane, possibly mixed by the many broken pipes in the rock's path.
The common pesticide malathion was spilled in the garage near where the boulder was resting. A Hazmat crew was putting bleach on the substance to neutralize it.
A city inspector and fire crews are investigating the home. The inspector told NBC 7 that the water main is also broken.
The area was heavily impacted by Thursday's rain storm, which soaked the area and left the ground muddy.
The city inspector said the home is stable and safe enough for Rose-Gendelman to be inside.
This isn't the first time San Diegans have seen the dangerous scenario. In January 2010, a boulder crashed into a Vista home.
Also, in February 2000, a huge boulder smashed into a Rancho San Diego house during heavy rains. The 140-ton boulder did so much damage it took days for crews to remove it by drilling holes in the granite and breaking it up into smaller pieces.
