Dozens of Hillcrest residents were forced to leave their homes early Friday when fire broke out in an underground parking garage.
San Diego Fire-Rescue crews were called to an apartment complex on Cleveland Avenue near Richmond Street around 4:30 a.m.
Residents reported hearing an explosion that shook the entire building. Then they say they smelled burning rubber and knew they had to get out.
Firefighters say at one point the smoke was so thick they couldn't see anything.
Crews evacuated the building and the one next door, removing more than 35 people from their homes.
No one was injured.
Fire officials say with elderly and disabled residents in the complex, things could have been much worse.
Local
The complex is located south of Washington Street and North of University Avenue, west of State Route 163.
