Garbage Truck Causes Brush Fire in Chula Vista

Originally published 1:59 p.m. July 3.

Firefighters are battling a brush fire in Chula Vista Wednesday apparently caused by a garbage truck's collision with power lines, according to Chula Vista Fire Department Chief Jim Garcia.

Flames were visible at 12:30 p.m. off Heritage Road and Main Street within range of Interstate 805, according to NBCSanDiego.com.

Officials say the fire has burned 24 acres, Garcia said. 

The non-injury traffic accident at Main Street and Heritage Road in southern Chula Vista occurred shortly after noon and apparently happened because the vehicle was too tall to clear the utility lines over the road crossing, Garcia said.

SeaWorld's new Aquatica water park though had a power outage as a result and management asked visitors to leave the amusement park.

About 2,000 nearby homes and businesses in areas like Otay Mesa, Nestor and San Ysidro are without power, in addition to the theme park, according to San Diego Gas & Electric. Utility officials expected to have service restored to the area by 6 p.m.

Firefighters from four agencies doused the flames from the ground and aboard a water-dropping helicopter. It took the personnel about an hour to halt the spread of the blaze, which grew to roughly 24 acres while burning several miles from the nearest structures, Garcia said.

No buildings are threatened, the report said.