Porta Potty Fire at Park Closes 70th Street; Arson Investigation Underway

A Porta Potty fire spread to the roof of restrooms under repair at Sunshine Park in La Mesa Saturday morning, according to Heartland Fire District Engineer Chris Cleist. 

Around 5:30 a.m. Saturday Heartland Fire District received a call that at least two Porta Potties at the park behind Rolando Elementary School were on fire. By the time Heartland Fire District and San Diego Fire-Rescue firefighters arrived, flames had spread to the restrooms roof.

The fire will be investigated by the Heartland Fire District and San Diego Fire-Rescue Metro Arson Strike Team, Cleist said.

The La Mesa Police Department closed 70th Street south of Tower street in both directions for approximately an hour. Flames were knocked down within five minutes but firefighters stayed on the scene for an hour to ensure the "hidden fire" under the wood shingle roof of the restroom structure in the park was extinguished.