Oceanside CA— One firefighter suffered minor injuries as police look for Ryan McDowell who is suspected of setting his family’s home on fire for a second time.
The home at 1715 Shire Avenue was rebuilt after the son set the home ablaze ” four or five years ago” according to Oceanside Battalion Chief Felipe Rodriguez. Neighbors watching the firefighters extinguish the blaze said the son suffers from mental problems since he witnessed a family tragedy when he was younger.
“The heavy smoke was visible from a distance and flames could be seen coming from the rear of the residence when the first engine in, Oceanside 2106 arrived.” said Chief Rodriguez. The calls to dispatchers began around at 9:11 this morning, February 20, 2105.

“We pulled hose to the rear of the home as well as through the front of the home and attacked the fire as it spread from top to bottom of the home” continued the Chief “The crews working inside the home saw several spot fires throughout the downstairs area like the fire had been set intentionally.”
The chief said crews had to fall back as the roof of the home began to collapse and the rear corner of the roof crumpled. “Falling roof tiles were posing a danger to the firefighters.”
A second aerial truck was called in from Vista so crews could safely mop up hot spots, from above, without standing on the roof.
Firefighters from Oceanside, North County Fire and Vista Fire Departments worked the blaze that caused an early estimate of damage of between $300,000 and $400,000.

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Unless otherwise noted, Photos: Steve Marcotte / OsideNews