Fire Destroys San Juan Capistrano Mobile Home

A mobile home off Ortega Highway burned Saturday evening and was declared a total loss, the Orange County Fire Authority reported.

The fire broke out around 8:30 p.m. at  27703 Ortega Highway and was fully engulfed by the time the 28 firefighters arrived, said Capt. Larry Kurtz.

"Those homes burn three times faster than other homes do," Kurtz said. 

The owners, a husband and wife, weren't home at the time, but they worried for their two dogs, Kurtz said. They were found safe in the backyard, but "it took some coaxing to get them out."

The fire started at the rear of the 1,200-square-foot structure and made its way forward, Kurtz said. 

"Three-quarters o the home burned, so you can call that a total loss," he said.

Nearby homes were threatened but not damaged during the blaze, which was extinguished in 20 minutes, Kurtz said. 

Firefighters are still trying to determine the origin and the cause, he said.