Flames tore through a home in a rural area north of Escondido early Saturday, but firefighters said no one was home when the fire broke out, and no one was injured.
The San Diego Sheriff's Department arson team is investigating the cause of the fire in the 28000 block of Cavalier Court, said Cal Fire Capt. Nick Schuler.
Dispatchers received a fire call around 5:45 a.m., Schuler said.
Parts of the roof and the front wall of the two-story house were destroyed by the fire, leaving gaping holes in the structure. Embers of the fire were carried by strong winds more than a quarter mile, Schuler said. But no other damage was reported.
Schuler said Cal Fire increased staffing and equipment this weekend because of anticipated windy and dry conditions that could increase the risk of wildfires.
