SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Authorities are searching for a person seen on surveillance video running away from a fire that destroyed one car and damaged two others parked at a Talmadge apartment complex.
The fire erupted at around 1 a.m. Monday outside of a two-story apartment building in the 4400 Altadena Avenue, according to San Diego police.
Residents were forced to flee as flames engulfed a parked car, spread to two other cars, and caused damage to the building’s exterior. Two apartment units suffered some smoke damage as a result of the blaze.
Firefighters were able to put out the fire after about 20 minutes. No injuries were reported.
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department officials said a nearby surveillance camera captured footage of a vehicle driving up to the parked vehicles and a passenger getting out. The passenger is then seen approaching one of the parked cars.
According to SDFRD officials, a person is seen at the car with the door opened and then pours a flammable liquid, sparking a fire. The video then shows the person running down the alley as the fire burns.
A description of the individual was not immediately available.
SDFRD officials said the fire caused an estimated $10,000 in damage to the car that was initially on fire. The fire caused an estimated $10,000 in damage to the two other parked cars.
The building’s damage was estimated to be about $10,000.
The fire is being investigated by the fire department’s Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST).
