San Diego Firefighters Battle Blaze at Vacant Recreation Center

March 13, 2025

There were multiple collapses as firefighters operated at the building at Liberty Center, a former Navy training base.

Caleb Lunetta

The San Diego Union-Tribune

(TNS)

A structure fire broke out Wednesday night in an abandoned building in Liberty Station, San Diego Fire- Rescue officials said.

The blaze was reported around 8:35 p.m. on Cushing Road near Chauncey Road in a 4,000-square-foot building, fire officials said. A second-alarm response was requested shortly after.

At least 74 firefighters, multiple engines and trucks were called to help battle the flames.

The blaze sent a large plume of smoke over Point Loma.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. No injuries had been reported as of 9:30 p.m.

Some buildings at the former U.S. Navy training facility date back to as early as the 1920s. Much of the property has been redeveloped in recent years although several vacant buildings remain.