A three-alarm fire tore through a multi-story Hillcrest commercial building today, causing extensive damage and forcing the closure of traffic lanes in the busy area. The blaze in the 1000 block of University Avenue was reported shortly after 3 p.m., according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Within about 15 minutes, firefighters had to clear out of the structure and fight the blaze from the outside due to the intensity of the smoke and flames.
An hour after the blaze erupted, heavy smoke was still surging out of the building, and water was pouring out of upper-floor windows as fire crews doused the structure with crane-mounted hoses. No injuries were reported.
