Encinitas brush fire extinguished before reaching homes

Firefighters stopped a brush fire on April 17 that threatened homes in the Scott Place cul-de-sac in Encinitas.

The blaze started at 7:45 p.m. just east of Home Depot on El Camino Real. It then spread up the hill, but fire crews positioned atop Scott Place were able to extinguish the fire before it reached the street, according to Fire Marshal Anita Pupping with the Encinitas Fire Department.

Pupping said the flames burned about a quarter-acre of land and got within 200 feet of six homes, which were evacuated. No property damage or injuries were reported. The blaze was put out by about 8:30 p.m.

The Encinitas Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire, according to Pupping. She said a property owner who smelled smoke reported the fire soon after it broke out and fire crews quickly responded.