Brush fire erupts in Granite Hills area

GRANITE HILLS (KUSI) – A brush fire of unknown origin spread through hilly open terrain near a residential neighborhood just northeast of El Cajon Friday, blackening about five acres and spreading toward homes but causing no reported structural damage or injuries.

The blaze erupted about noon off the northern terminus of Lotus Lane, near La Cresta Road in the unincorporated Granite Hills area, according to Cal Fire.

Ground crews and personnel aboard air tankers and helicopters fought the flames, which spread to within roughly 400 feet of homes, said Neil Czapinski, a fire captain with the state agency.

As of shortly before 1 p.m., the blaze was holding within a perimeter of fire retardant dropped by the fixed-wing aircraft, the captain said.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation in the late afternoon. Crews expected to remain in the area checking for hot spots until about 6 p.m., Czapinski said.