San Diego

A fierce fire believed to have been caused by arsonists destroyed a garage, burned most of the owner’s house and ignited a nearby apartment complex Wednesday in Normal Heights, the San Diego Fire Department reported.

At 5:21 a.m., 25 firefighters were summoned to a home in the 4700 block of 33rd Street and found the garage engulfed in flames, Fire Department spokesman Larry Stewart said. The fire quickly spread to a house apart from the garage, causing extensive damage. A couple who were inside the house were awakened by the blaze and escaped serious injury.

The intense heat also shattered the windows of a neighboring two-story, 12-unit apartment building, Stewart said. Twenty people who were evacuated from the complex were allowed to return, he said.

Leroy Henry, 68, owner of the house, suffered minor burns on his arm after he attempted to remove his car from the carport, investigators said. He was treated at the scene. One firefighter suffered minor smoke inhalation but did not require medical treatment.

The estimated damage to the house and garage was $75,000, and total damage to the apartment building was $15,000, Stewart said.

Metro Arston Strike Team investigators said they discovered paper and wood at the rear of the garage, and they believe the blaze was set by arsonists.