Fire sweeps Temple Hills home

A fast-moving fire swept through a hillside home in Laguna Beach Monday morning, destroying the top floor of the three-story Temple Hills structure, Fire Dept. Division Chief Jeff LaTendresse said.

It took firefighters about half an hour to douse the fire, LaTendresse said.

“It got big quick, which is strange for a fire in the middle of the day,” LaTendresse said. The fire was out by 11:48 a.m.

Firefighters were concerned the fire could spread through the hillside area, and a fire engine was placed above the location as a precaution, LaTendresse said.

The prevailing ocean breezes, combined with dry conditions and the thickly settled hillside terrace on which the home sat, heightened concerns about the fire spreading.

Six engine companies, including one from Newport Beach and one from the Orange County Fire Authority, in addition to other personnel — a total of 32 firefighters — were dispatched to the incident.

The house was occupied but no one was in the home when firefighters responded, LaTendresse said.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is believed to have been a malfunctioning gas heater, LaTendresse said.

“It appears accidental,” he said.

The loss is estimated at $300,000 to the structure, and $50,000 for contents.