House-burning went just as planned, San Diego officials say

San Diego County officials said the burning of a house containing massive amounts of bomb-making material went just as planned Thursday morning, with no large explosions and with much of the fire and smoke gone within an hour.

“Everything is going according to plan,” said Jan Caldwell, spokeswoman for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Flames soared four stories in the air, and thick, dark smoke reached about 2,000 feet before drifting slowly eastward, pushed by a slight sea breeze.

Cracks and pops that could be heard nearby were probably from hand grenades and ammunition inside the one-story home on Via Scott near Escondido. The home was expected to smolder the rest of the day. Bomb experts will inspect the property within a day or two.

“It's highly unlikely there is anything left there that is toxic,” Caldwell said. “We’re going to render this property as safe as possible.”

The goal was for a fast, hot fire to incinerate the bomb-making materials, officials said.

The I-15 Freeway was reopened about 12:30 p.m., after a closure of about 2½ hours. Local air-quality officials were on hand to monitor any potential harmful effects but said there did not appear to be any cause for concern.

"This, so far, is perfect," said Robert Kard, director of Air Pollution Control District of San Diego County.

Evacuees from the neighborhood should be able to return by late in the afternoon or in the evening.

The fire was set at about 10:50 a.m. through a remote controlled detonation device, upon the order of Sheriff Bill Gore with two fire departments standing by.

A series of explosives experts had said that burning the house was the best alternative and that returning into the house to remove the some chemicals, which are the same as those used by terrorist bombers, would be too dangerous. The house was so stuffed with materials and other bric-a-brac that walking amid the explosives was nearly impossible, officials said.

George Jakubec, 54, the tenant who had lived in the home for three years, remains in federal prison in downtown San Diego on bomb-making and bank robbery charges.

He is being held without bail; he has pleaded not guilty. His attorney has said he would like to apologize to neighbors for the disruption caused by the discovery.

RELATED:

Escondido bomb house set on fire; smoke rising

Explosives-laden house near Escondido set to be torched Thursday

Judge rejects request to delay planned burning of accused bomber's home

-- Tony Perry in Escondido

Photo:  A house once occupied by accused bomb maker George Jakubec goes up in flames during a controlled burn in an Escondido, CA neighborhood.  After weeks of planning, the blaze went off as planned, incinerating dangerous chemicals and reducing the structure to ashes.  Credit: Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times

Photos: 'Bomb house' near Escondido destroyed

Comments

[JCej]

Jakubec would like to apologize to his neighbors? That's funny! Considering he had enough explosives to totally devastate the area.
I can't understand how he could even plead not guilty.

[Yo]

The loss is a loss. Owner is screwed, has to pay out of his pocket. Insurance wont pay.

[kni]

"I can't understand how he could even plead not guilty."

Innocent until proven guilty!

[Houston]

You don't need to be convicted of a crime to be held in prison. He has been charged with multiple felonies, amongst which are charges of producing illegal explosives and robbing banks. All of the charges are serious, and considering the amount of explosives this nut had stockpiled in that house, he definitely qualifies as an enemy combatant. If there is not definition of "enemy combatant", well, this is a good start.

The pleading "not guilty" is hilarious. What did this guy tell the police and FBI? "Sorry guys, this stuff isn't mine." Seriously. Plead guilty and get on with the next 20 years of your life in prison.

[Monterey Alvarado fire]

Lucky it wasn't the Monterey FD handling this controlled fire; otherwise the entire neighborhood would have burnt to the ground.

[kevin bruce]

innocent until proven guilty. prosecutor must prove his case. the courts would like you to feel differently in this socity