Sheriff’s Department investigating a suspicious motel fire

By Gina Yarbrough

Lemon Grove, CA–The Sheriff’s Department is investigating a suspicious structure fire that damaged a motel room on Friday in East County.

The fire was reported just after 12 p.m. in the 8000 block of Broadway in Lemon Grove. 

Deputies on patrol noticed smoke coming from a nearby motel. When they arrived at the location, they found one of the rooms was fully engulfed in flames, Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Anthony Portillo said.

Heartland Fire and Rescue crews arrived on the scene and began combating the flames. Several nearby rooms were evacuated as a precaution. 

According to the Sheriff’s Department, witnesses reported hearing a loud banging sound coming from the room that was on fire, as well as seeing the occupant leaving minutes prior to the fire.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson Unit were called to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. There were no injuries reported.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.