Lemon Grove
The auditorium of an elementary school was gutted in a fire early Tuesday morning, causing $250,000 in damages, the Sheriff’s Department reported.
The cause of the fire, which started about 2 a.m. at San Altos Elementary School, 1750 Madera St., has not been determined, said Bill Crigler, an arson investigator with the Sheriff’s Department.
“As far as I know, they haven’t found any incendiary devices, nor have they been able to find any electrical problems,” said Terry Garrison, the school’s maintenance supervisor. He said residents who live near the school notified firefighters.
Damage was limited to the interior of the auditorium and an adjacent kitchen, which suffered water and smoke damages, Garrison said.
“It’ll cause a problem with the lunch program, but we’ll definitely be open when school starts,” Garrison said. Students normally eat their lunches in the auditorium and the cafeteria, he said.
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