Juveniles were likely responsible for starting a fire that charred 38-acres in a Del Cerro canyon north of San Diego State University, prompting dozens of evacuations and an hours-long freeway closure, a fire official said Monday.
Fire investigators have not identified the children, and it’s unclear what they were doing when the fire started, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokeswoman Mónica Muñoz said. “If we determine the identities of the juveniles, the case would be evaluated to determine if any prosecution would be sought,” Muñoz said.
The blaze remained about 85 percent contained Monday morning, and six engine crews were still at the scene to knock down flare ups and hot spots.
Among other actions overnight, one of the crews reported dumping 500 gallons of water on a “smoldering, stubborn” palm tree stump, and another crew reported seeing glowing embers near two homes.