Fire destroys attic of Fallbrook home

A fire that took place in the early morning Tuesday, October 12, at a Fallbrook home resulted in approximately $150,000 damage to the structure.

The fire, which erupted at about 5:30 a.m. in the attic area of the home, appears to have been electrical in origin, said John Buchanan, public information officer for North County Fire. The home is located in the 1000 block of Hughes Lane. (Hughes Lane is off East Mission Road, just west of Stage Coach Lane).

The family residing in the home became aware of the fire when they awoke to the smell of smoke. The distinctive smell was enough to waken the family, but had not set off a smoke detector at the time it was discovered.

"The smoke hadn't reached the area where a smoke detector was located, but also, the smoke detector wasn't operational," said Buchanan. "The family woke up to the odorous smell of smoke and the sounds of a fire crackling and popping."

All residents of the home were able to safely evacuate until the fire was extinguished.

"No one was hurt," Buchanan confirmed, adding that the fire did not spread beyond the structure.

The home, comprised of about 2,100 square feet, is not currently habitable, said Buchanan.

"The family is displaced for now and is staying with other family members," he said.

Buchanan said three fire engines and an ambulance responded to the scene.

"That means we had between 12 and 15 firefighters on hand," he said.