Firefighters halt hillside blaze in Presidio Park

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A non-injury fire apparently set by a transient Thursday
spread to brushy hillside in Presidio Park and moved toward historic buildings
but caused no structural damage and was contained in about 15 minutes.

The blaze erupted about 11:30 a.m. in thick foliage near the 2800 block
of Jackson Street, just south of Interstate 8, according to the San Diego Fire-
Rescue Department.

Ground crews battling the flames were supported by personnel on two
emergency-services helicopters making water drops. The burn area was contained
to about a quarter-acre, SDFRD spokesman Maurice Luque said.

The fire moved to within 150 yards of 85-year-old Junipero Serra Museum,
a Spanish mission-style edifice that houses the collection of the San Diego
History Center and is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.

Investigators believe a homeless man who frequents the park started the
blaze, possibly to serve as a campfire, Luque said. Authorities were trying to
locate the man for questioning.