SHELTER ISLAND – A 50-foot sailboat caught fire in America's Cup Harbor yesterday, causing several explosions but no injuries.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Damage was estimated at $40,000.
Someone in a nearby hotel called 911 at 4:19 p.m. to report flames on a boat in the harbor moorage, a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department dispatcher said. Other witnesses heard several explosions aboard the boat, “Katana.”
Crews on two San Diego Harbor Police fireboats found the aft cabin engulfed in flames. The boat owner, found on shore, told authorities no one was aboard.
It took about an hour to extinguish the fire. No other boats were damaged.
– Pauline Repard
Man steps in front
of Amtrak train
MISSION HILLS –
A man committed suicide yesterday by stepping in front of an Amtrak train at West Washington Street, authorities said.
The 35-year-old San Diego man stepped onto the railroad tracks and was struck by a northbound Amtrak Surfliner train that had left downtown at 4 p.m.
The train stopped and was delayed about 90 minutes during an investigation by sheriff's deputies assigned to railroad incidents. A medical examiner's investigator said other trains continued past the scene on a second track.
– Pauline Repard
Gas leak closes
park buildings
A broken gas line forced four Balboa Park buildings to close yesterday until crews repaired the break.
City workers were excavating to fix a sinkhole in The Prado area of the park when they accidentally cut a natural gas line about 11 a.m., said Paul Sirois, a park official.
No one was injured, but people had to evacuate the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the San Diego Natural History Museum, Casa de Balboa and Casa del Prado.
The line was repaired at 1:30 p.m. and authorities gave clearance to re-enter about a half-hour later, a city spokesperson said.
The science center closed for the day and rescheduled its evening planetarium show for next week.
– Jeanette Steele
Rescuer of boy, 4,
to receive award
DEHESA –
The Sycuan Indian band's police and fire departments will bestow a lifesaving award of valor today to a tribal public safety officer who helped save a 4-year-old boy from electrocution.
Officer Andy Lanz, 25, who joined the Sycuan Tribal Police Department about six months ago, was off duty at the pool of his El Cajon apartment complex Sept. 24 when the boy was jolted with electricity. The boy, identified by Sycuan officials as Joshua Weiss, had tried to turn on the jets of a whirlpool sauna.
Lanz helped the boy's mother remove the child from a metal fence surging with current. The child had no pulse and was not breathing. Lanz revived him with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the boy suffered no lasting injuries, tribal officials said.
Lanz will be presented the award in a ceremony at Sycuan Resort at Singing Hills.
– Chet Barfield
Judge grants bond
in marshal case
DOWNTOWN –
A San Diego federal court judge granted bond yesterday to a man accused of impersonating a federal marshal.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Louisa S. Porter ruled Craig Alan German can be released from jail if he posts a $100,000 bond secured by property and agrees to be confined to his home and wear an electronic tracking device.
A prosecutor had urged German, 46, be held without bond because he is dangerous. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Wheat said German had guns and purchased uniforms, badges, bullet-proof vests and a police car.
German was arrested Oct. 17 and indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury. He pleaded not guilty and could face up to six months in jail if convicted.
German's lawyer, Michael Harkness, said his client is not dangerous; he is merely a “police buff.”
German's activities were discovered when he took a 2003 Dodge Intrepid sedan to a San Diego mechanic, Wheat said. He asked the mechanic to reactivate the lights and siren.
The mechanic became suspicious and called authorities, who were waiting for German when he picked up the car. German flashed a badge and for a while continued to claim he was a deputy on special assignment.
– Kelly Thornton
Volunteers needed
on Thanksgiving
The county Health and Human Services Agency needs volunteers to deliver meals Thanksgiving Day to homebound older people.
The annual delivery program, MOMeals, which began in 1991, is administered by the agency's Aging & Independence Services division and delivers about 1,500 meals each Thanksgiving.
Volunteers are asked to deliver a hot turkey dinner and a carnation and to chat. Donations pay for the food.
Anyone interested in volunteering or making a donation is asked to call (858) 495-5279.
Volunteers will gather Thanksgiving Day at sites in the South Bay, East County and central San Diego.
– David E. Graham
