One Person Dies in Ramona House Disaster

By Claudia Strasbaugh

An explosion may have sparked a house fire that killed one person early this morning at a home north-east of downtown San Diego, on the outskirts of Ramona, California, according to a Cal Fire dispatcher.

The blaze started about 1:30 a.m. in the two-story house on North Woodson Drive, near Archie Moore Road. It took 30 firefighters to bring the flames under control. A body was found just outside the house, which was thought to be empty, the dispatcher said.

The home was destroyed.

Sheriff's investigators are trying to identify the victim and determine the cause of the blaze. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion shortly before the home caught fire and firefighters found the garage door blown off and lying near the street, said the dispatcher.

Further information received from a local caller suggests there may have been a gas leak in the house, first detected by painters who were repainting the property. Most of the properties in this upscale neighborhood are serviced by propane. Apparently, the property was empty while being prepared for a move-in.

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