SAN DIEGO – Authorities are trying to determine what caused an explosion that rocked a three-story Ocean Beach apartment building early Monday morning, leaving a big hole in the side.
Residents were awoken by the explosion at around 1 a.m. at 4975 Del Monte Ave. Some came out on their own, while others were evacuated by San Diego police. When they walked outside, they found a smoldering hole in the northwest corner of the building.
“Everyone got evacuated, but I came out here first to check out what was going on,” resident Mark Olsen told 10News. “So I came out and now I can't get back in.”
San Diego Fire-Rescue crews used a chainsaw to cut away debris and ensure the wall wasn’t on fire. No one was hurt.
The residents waited outside while SDFR and San Diego Gas & Electric investigated. Inspectors eventually gave the all clear and residents were allowed to return.
Later Monday morning, a SDFR spokesperson told 10News the damage was caused by a fire in the wall of the garage. The spokesperson told 10News SDFR would not be investigating any further. The cause of the fire was not clear.
