San Diego

The San Diego Fire Department is investigating three fires that started within nine hours Wednesday, officials said.

The first was a brush fire in the 10800 block of Black Mountain Road in Mira Mesa. Officials said the blaze, which was first noticed at 2:33 p.m., threatened several homes before 25 firefighters were able to control it. The fire scorched 25 acres.

At 7:08 p.m., firefighters were called to a brush fire on Taylor Street, south of Hotel Circle in the Mission Hills area. A house in the 2400 block of Pine Street was endangered when the fire burned up a steep hill and toward the home.

Fire officials said the only thing that saved the house was the ice plant the owner had recently planted in his backyard.

The fire, believed to have been set by an arsonist, burned three acres.

About five hours later, firefighters were called to the 4500 block of Mount Bigelow Drive to battle a garage fire. It took 25 firefighters less than 10 minutes to contain the blaze to the garage. The garage is attached to the house.

Residents said they were asleep at 11:47 p.m. when they were awakened by an explosion. They said they ran out and found the garage in flames.

Damage to the garage totaled $60,000.