Comment by eCoronado on September 15, 2012 at 2:47pm

Inbound Bridge traffic being re-routed to Imperial Beach.

Staff Comment by Kellee Hearther on September 15, 2012 at 3:19pm

Bridge closure is due to house fire on A Avenue between 3rd and 4th.  Lots of traffic.  Five fire trucks, but it appears the fire fighters have extinguished the fire.  Not sure about injuries, but there were two ambulances on site.  Sure hope everyone is okay.

Comment by lisa on September 15, 2012 at 3:23pm

NBC is reporting... 

"A two-alarm fire sparked in Coronado Saturday, authorities said.

The fire began around 2:15 p.m. on the 300 block of A Avenue.

Authorities said the blaze was in a dense neighborhood. At least one vehicle and two homes became well-involved in flames."

Read the entire story here: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Fire-Sparks-in-Coronado-16990...

Source: Fire Engulfs Car, Homes in Coronado | NBC 7 San Diego

Comment by Madison W. on September 15, 2012 at 3:54pm

My husband and kids were there when fire trucks pulled up, there were issues getting the water hydrants to work. Bad scene and hope no injuries, one woman did get her dogs out safely. My daughter says 3 alley houses burned.

Comment by lisa on September 15, 2012 at 4:05pm

Bridge is now completely reopened as of 4:05 pm.

Comment by eCoronado on September 15, 2012 at 7:48pm

Story updated with photo and details from CBS8.com - thankfully, no injuries were reported.  http://www.cbs8.com/story/19554117/car-fire-spreads-to-nearby-homes...

Comment by eCoronado on September 16, 2012 at 9:56am

Video of fire added to story:

Comment by Jerry Toci on September 17, 2012 at 11:17am

Thanks for the video.  Welcome to Tanakatown (the Mayor lives on an alley). Coronado residents have worried for years about this type of fire erupting in one of the hundreds of non-conforming "alley houses".  The City has simply ignored the hazards created when garages are converted to dwelling units.  In every alleyway thruout Coronado, garages have been converted without building permits, as the City does not enforce Municipal Code, which reflects CA Fire Code.  Where's the Fire Marshal?  Fire crews often cannot access these units. This oversight failure creates other problems:  more vehicles crammed on the streets and alleys, the streets never get swept according to state law, and many alley dwellings are used as illegal vacation rentals, which further impacts neighborhoods with added noise and congestion.  Solution:  ENFORCE MUNICIPAL CODE !!!

Comment by Leslie Edmonds on September 17, 2012 at 1:32pm

Mr. Toci, if I'm not mistaken, many of the garage conversions you're speaking of were probably done before Mayor Tanaka was even born.  As for the Fire Marshal, he has no jurisdiction on private property.  It's likely that you would object were your home to be subject to random inspections.  Common areas of apartment type dwellings can be inspected but the individual dwelling places are not subject to that type of inspection. Maybe a political diatribe is not the best response to a potential personal tragedy, particularly in the absence of facts.

Comment by Jerry Toci on September 17, 2012 at 2:26pm

My concerns arise from the proliferation of zoning violations and building code violations which have grown unchecked over the past then years.  Under "Code Enforcement", the City website touts:  "Pursuant to City Council policy, staff will only comply to written complaints".  This serves only to pit neighbor against neighbor and does nothing to make the community more safe or desirable.  To have a limp-wristed REACTIVE policy is irresponsible, which has become a Tanaka trademark.  Not that I don't appreciate a little tongue-in-cheek humor, the alley on which Hizzoner resides has been designated "Tanaka Lane".  Please keep in mind that alley houses create noise, parking, density and safety issues, which in the aggregate reduce Coronado's desirability and lower property values.

Comment (keep it clean & on topic)