Power was restored Wednesday, hours after a building went up in flames along the Mission Beach boardwalk, injuring one person.
The fire produced a large column of thick, black smoke into the air that was visible for miles when it erupted Tuesday at a second-story residence on Ventura Place, above popular Mission Beach eateries.
The utility company said the large fire, across from Belmont Park, damaged some wooden power poles and wiring. Customers had service as of 9:30 a.m.
One man was rescued from the fire and rushed to UC San Diego Medical Center. A second person was injured in the fire but elected not to go to the hospital in an ambulance.
Five people were in the apartment when the fire broke out.
The fire produced a large column of thick, black smoke into the air that was visible for miles. Video shows flames pouring from the second-story windows as crews arrived on scene.
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Mo Pope lives nearby and said she was terrified when she heard an unusual number of sirens.
Images: Fire Along Mission Beach Boardwalk
“There was a giant smoke coming out of the top of the building,” Pope said. “It was just pouring out of the side of the windows.”
Investigators still don't have an exact cause but said the blaze started on a rooftop storage area.
Firefighters were met with challenges when they arrived. A metal stairwall was energized from nearby electrical lines so crews put up ladders to get to the roof from the street level, Battalion Chief Ed Kinnamon said.
The age of the building also created a challenge for firefighters.
“These old buildings are made out of plaster so it’s not the easy drywall. So it’s physically intense to pull the stuff just to confirm the fire is out,” Kinnamon said.
The multiple-story building is home to Dreyer's Ice Cream and Kojack's restaurant on the first floor.
Residences on the second floor sustained fire and water damage, fire officials said, while the businesses below suffered water damage only.
