NewsLocal News

Actions

Man seen running away after car fire erupts at Talmadge apartment complex

talmadge_fire_screen_062419.jpg
Posted at 5:58 AM, Jun 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-24 12:21:34-04

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).