Firefighters called to residential fire in University Heights

Firefighters called to residential fire in University Heights
Flames erupt from the roof of a single-story home with graffiti on one wall. Two fire trucks are packed on either side of the house, one with its ladder extended in the air toward the blaze. Three firefighters stands between the two trucks.
Flames erupt from the roof of a single-story home with graffiti on one wall. Two fire trucks are packed on either side of the house, one with its ladder extended in the air toward the blaze. Three firefighters stands between the two trucks.
Firefighters at the scene of a Georgia Street residential fire on Saturday Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)

Firefighters battled a blaze at abandoned buildings in University Heights early Saturday.

San Diego crews arrived at the scene, in the 4300 block of Georgia Street, just before 6 a.m. They wrapped up the operation at about 9:40 a.m., according to a public San Diego Fire-Rescue Department log.

No one from surrounding residences had to be evacuated.

Five engines and two trucks responded to the scene, along with one division chief and three battalion chiefs. A fire investigator also was assigned to the case.

Three buildings at the address had been red-tagged, boarded up and deemed not suitable for occupancy. They had previously caught fire, according to department spokeswoman Candace Hadley.

“Understanding the compromised integrity of the building, firefighters took a defensive strategy attacking the fire,” Hadley said. “The first thing they wanted to do is protect surrounding buildings and make sure there was no people inside.”

No one was injured, but the burned buildings were a total loss after collapsing. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Neighbors in the area said on social media that they had seen other fires at the site; squatters have been spotted as well.

Flames burst from the ceiling of a structure in the shadow of an apartment complex.
Flames burst from a structure on Georgia Street in the shadow of an apartment complex on Saturday Feb. 21, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)

City News Service contributed to this report.