San Diego

Man Forced to Evacuate During Lilac Fire Loses Home in Blaze

A home in Bonsall that survived the Lilac Fire last December was destroyed when a fire tore through the roof Tuesday morning. 

The fire was reported at about 4:50 a.m. at the home on Via De Los Cepillos just west of State Route 76, the North County Fire Protection District (NCFPD) said. 

Paul Haden, who had lived in the home for 10 years, said he and his dogs stayed at a friends house last night and were lucky not to be home at the time of the fire. 

"I kind of survived the Bonsall Lilac Fire and then I hear this is here," Haden said. "I don’t know, I haven’t processed it yet so it’ll take a minute."

The Lilac Fire destroyed six of his neighbors' homes when it tore through the area near State Route 76 and Interstate 15 last December but his home was left standing, Haden said.

NCFPD Battalion Chief Barry Krumwyede said the home was a total loss due to Tuesday's fire. 

Haden said his classic '66 Ford pickup truck and beloved artwork were also lost in the blaze. 

Within 30 minutes the fire was knocked down but nearly a dozen firefighters could be seen putting out any remaining hot spots nearly four hours after the initial call. Newschopper 7 footage showed the home's collapsed roof. 

Haden said he was thankful to the quick response from firefighters. 

"It's by the grace of God that I am here. It's by the Grace of God I wasn't in the house and it's by the grace of God we have these wonderful firefighters, and these men, how hard they work," Haden said. "I'm really proud of them."

Firefighters had not yet entered the home at 8:30 a.m. as they were still tempering hot spots from the outside. 

A San Diego County Sheriff's Department bomb and arson unit was called to determine the cause of the fire. 

No other information was available.

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