Thousands of crickets died and an employee of an East County farm was injured when several structures on the property went up in flames Thursday morning, the Lakeside Fire Protection District said.
The fire began shortly after 8 a.m. at 14950 El Monte Rd., according to Heartland Fire said, which according to Google is the site of Oma's Family Farm, a popular pumpkin patch for families during the fall season, although the agency added the location had "multiple businesses" and it was not immediately clear which business was affected.
Jeremy Davis, a spokesperson for Lakeside Fire later said the buildings that burned were used to house crickets that are used to as pet feed. Video from the scene showed a water tank with the name "Williams Worm Farm" on the side.
When firefighters arrived, two large chicken-coop-style buildings were engulfed in flames. Davis said thousands of crickets died in the fire and two trailers also burned. About $200,000 in damage was estimted.
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An employee who tried to put out the fire had smoke inhalation and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, Davis said. Next door, four horses were evacuated and moved to other stables.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation but Davis said it may have started by a faulty commercial propane heater. It's possible the heater had faulty electric equipment or was leaking propane, he said.
