A large fire ripped through a vacant building in El Cajon early Saturday sending flames shooting through the roof, officials said.

The blaze sparked just before 1:30 a.m. at a commercial structure in the 500 block of South Marshall Avenue. When firefighters arrived, heavy smoke and flames were shooting from the roof of the building, officials said.

A second-alarm was issued and more fire crews were called for backup. Working together, firefighters from El Cajon, La Mesa, San Diego and CAL Fire were able to knock out the blaze in an hour and 20 minutes.

Fire officials said the flames were very intense due to the fact that the building is made of cinder block with a wood exterior. This kept the heat inside, similar to a barbecue pit.

At one point, the flames reached some nearby power lines, but crews were able to get it under control before further damage could be caused.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Neighbors said the building has been vacant for years.
 

A water main break in Sorrento Valley Saturday morning caused major problems on the road and had water officials worried the damage might lead to the street collapsing.

Officials said water had been flowing from the break at Carroll Canyon and Pacific Heights roads since 5:30 a.m. Initially, the break was small but the situation escalated throughout the morning with the broken water main lifting the pavement in the area.

Water crews feared the break could collapse portions of the impacted streets, so traffic was diverted in the area as crews worked to shut off the water and begin repairs.

Water department spokesperson Arian Collin said a special hydraulics crew was called to the site to help shut off the water because the break is near pressure regulators.

Collins said the biggest issue is that if the pressure regulators have to be shut down many customers will be out of water. The crews are trying to prevent that from happening.

By 10:15 a.m., crews had finally shut off the water.

The cause of the main break is under investigation, but officials said the pipe is very old and made out of asbestos cement.

Crews hope to have the pipe repaired by 3 p.m. However, roadwork in the area is expected to last at least until midnight. The intersection will remain closed and drivers will be detoured onto Nancy Ridge Road, which runs parallel to Carroll Canyon Road.

Dan Murphy was surfing Cardiff By-the-Sea when a wiggly little creature jumped on his board and crawled up his back.

At first, the Cardiff resident thought he was being attacked. But as he turned around, he saw a sea lion pup hugging him, as if the animal were scared.

Murphy, a longtime surfer, was amazed. On that Sunday morning off the shore of San Elijo Campground, a friendship was formed, he said.

“You see a lot of wildlife. You see those pups around this time of year,” he said. “I’ve never seen them interact with people like that.”

Murphy said the pup did not appear malnourished and suspects he was one of the sea lions rehabilitated by SeaWorld trainers and then returned to the wild, as the little guy appeared so comfortable around humans.

The pup held on to Murphy for about 20 minutes before crawling into his lap “like a puppy,” he said.

“He spent well over an hour on my board,” Murphy said.

Murphy spent the next hour floating on his surf board with the sea lion pup, as his friend, Eileen Quintilla, grabbed her camera from the shore and began snapping pictures.

When their human-sea lion bonding experience was over, Murphy said he had to nudge the pup off his board and say goodbye.

“I was literally in tears,” he said. “I waved to him.”

Over $300,000 worth of methamphetamine was seized from a Coachella home Thursday evening, according to officials from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Officials served a search warrant to the residents of a home in the 85-500 block of Avenida Crystal where they confiscated over 17.5 pounds of narcotics and about $1,000 in cash.

Eduardo Maciel, 19, from Imperial and Oscar Ramirez, 29, from Coachella were both arrested on suspicion of possessing the drugs.

Anyone with information is asked to call 760-341-7867.

It's going to be tough for this couple's honeymoon to top their weddings.

Cheetah Platt and Rhiann Woodyard didn't want the average wedding, so they packed their bridal dress and suit and left on a world tour. They've held ceremonies at locations around the world — in front of waterfalls and aqueducts, in an ancient temple, with a giraffe -- taking eye-catching pictures at each one.

The Los Angeles couple had gotten married 21 times as of Saturday, March 21, and they plan on tying the knot 17 more times before May 2, Platt said.

The icing on their wedding cake: They say that getting married around the world has saved them money, compared to the traditional, one-day affair.

The average American wedding costs more than $31,000, according to a recent survey conducted by wedding publication The Knot. Despite traveling to six continents, the couple said their trip to six continents cost less.

"It has been amazing talking to others who see the world the same way and are so excited to create their own wedding experience," the couple said in an e-mail to NBC4.

To the bride, Rhiann Woodyard, the most memorable ceremony so far was being married in India's centuries-old Ajanta Caves, a Buddhist temple carved into a mountain.

"It is such a surreal experience," Woodyard said in an e-mail.

For Platt, it was "riding camels across the sand, then standing in the ancient Egyptian desert and marrying the love of my life in front of the pyramids of Giza."

Both professional acrobats, Woodyard and Platt met at a gathering for acrobatics enthusiasts, the couple told Buzzfeed.

Their registry, posted on honeyfund.com, doesn't consist of the usual pots, pans, plates and dishware -- instead, they listed elephant rides, a Spanish hot-air balloon ride, snorkeling and flights to every corner of the globe.

Couples from around the world have reached out after hearing about their decision, they told NBC4.

And while they caution that their wedding isn't right for everyone, they believe every couple should think about what would make a wedding perfect for them.

"If you are open to changing tradition and exploring other options, you can absolutely create (and afford) the perfect wedding for YOU," said the couple, who signed their e-mail CheeRhi.

The couple does plan a ceremony for their immediate family in Big Bear, a small mountain-top town near LA.

"Nothing will change with the wedding itself, but we can't wait to share it with our family," they said.

Stop & Shop is taking a walnut and trail mix blend off the shelves that may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The national grocery store chain pulled select products carrying the Aurora and Stop & Shop labels because of Aurora Products, Inc.'s recent recall.

The following food products are included in the recall:

• Stop & Shop Walnuts, 6.5 ounces, UPC 8826713594, with "best if used by" dates between Oct. 29 and Dec. 7, 2015.
   
• Stop & Shop Cranberry Health Mix, 21 ounces., UPC 8826713692, with "best if used by" dates between Oct. 30 and Dec. 13, 2015. 
   
• Stop & Shop Cranberry Health Mix, 9.25 ounces, UPC 8826714713, with "best if used by" dates between Oct. 30 and Dec. 13, 2015.
   
• Stop & Shop Roasted Salt Mixed Nuts, 9 ounces, UPC 8826714736, with "best if used by" dates between Nov. 4, 2015 and Dec. 13, 2015.
   
• Aurora Forest Bounty Grail Mix, 17.5 ounces., UPC 65585200496, with "best if used by" dates between Oct. 28, 2015 and Dec 13, 2015.
   
• Aurora Roasted No Salt Mixed Nuts, 9 ounces, UP

No reports of anyone getting sick from the products have come in, according to Stop & Shop. However the company gives the following warning.

"Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses," according to Stop & Shop. "Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days."

Anyone who has bought any of the recalled items should throw them out and bring in a receipt to Stop & Shop to get a refund.

More information is available by calling Aurora Products at 1-800 898-1048 or Stop & Shop customer service at 1-800-767-772. More information is available at www.stopandshop.com.

More than 200 people came out to rally against a decision to remove a popular boardwalk in the San Dieguito River Valley.

The Coastal Commission voted to remove the San Dieguito Lagoon Boardwalk in March, a move the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy plans to appeal before the April 11 deadline.

On Saturday, they held a rally to raise awareness and help save a boardwalk many people use every weekend.

The boardwalk is located off the Jimmy Durante Boulevard bridge in Del Mar, close to the fairgrounds. The path goes along the lagoon in the area.

“It would be a real shame if this boardwalk was removed after volunteers spent hard work – a full day – putting in this boardwalk,” said Trish Boaz, the executive director of the conservancy group. “They used coastal conservancy grant funds as well as federal funds, bond funding for the coastal funding.”

The boardwalk is seven years old, Boaz said, but hasn’t had a negative impact on the environment in those years.

Coastal Commission staff, however, has argued that if the boardwalk were removed, they could restore an additional 1.5 acres of wetlands, Boaz said.

"And they can’t look at the entire big picture," Boaz said. "Almost 200 acres of wetland are being restored here at the San Dieguito Lagoon and this is 1200 feet of boardwalk. It seems like a pretty good balance for public information, access and recreation.”

The group will file an appeal by April 11 with the Coastal Commission. 

A Molotov cocktail was thrown into a Mercedes causing the driver to hit and catapult a SUV into the front of a Southern California home on Friday evening.

Humberto Zubia, 22, stopped at a red light at the intersection of 2nd Street and I street at 8 p.m. when another vehicle pulled up along the driver’s side of his car.

Someone from the other car threw a fiery device into Zubia’s sedan that immediately started a fire on the floorboard of his car, officials from the San Bernardino Police Department said.

Zubia tried to extinguish the fire as he continued to drive westbound on 2nd Street causing him to crash into a Mercedes SUV. The SUV then plowed into the front of an abandoned home causing major structural damage.

Zubia managed to get out of his car before it was engulfed in flames. He was transported to a nearby hospital for non-life threatening injuries. It was unclear if the driver of the SUV was also injured.

Investigators were on scene for several hours after the crash.

A rally is being held in Carson Saturday in an attempt to fast track a proposal for a new NFL stadum to be built in the city.

In total, 8,041 petition signatures are needed to get the joint San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders plan before the City Council. Organizers said on Saturday they had collected more than 14,000 signatures from registered voters in Carson since March 13. 

If they are successful, the council will then be able to approve the proposal outright or make the issue a ballot measure. Carson2gether supporters said they plan to march to Carson City Hall on Monday to deliver the 30-some boxes to the city clerk. 

The "Red Zone Rally," named after the area between the 20 yard line and the goal in football, is scheduled to be held at noon in the Sun Court at SouthBay Pavilion on the 20700 block of Avalon Boulevard.

"There has been widespread enthusiasm for the stadium proposal in the Carson community as evidenced by the reception our signature-gatherers have been getting as they've been engaging the city's registered voters,"  Fred MacFarlane of stadium group Carson2gether said, "We're not done gathering signatures, but it's safe to say, we're pleased with our progress."

The San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders announced in February they are working on a joint proposal to build a 72,000-seat stadium at Del Amo Boulevard and the San Diego (405) Freeway in Carson. However, this is dependent on them being unable to strike deals for new facilities in their respective cities.

Inglewood City Council have already approved a plan by St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke to build a stadium at the former Hollywood Park racetrack site.

Members voted unanimously on February 24 to approve the mooted 80,000-seat stadium. Despite this, the Rams have not announced any plans of moving back to the Los Angeles area.

LA has not had an NFL team since 1994.

City News Service contributed to this report

The San Diego Humane Society shelter Saturday welcomes more than 2,000 orphaned kittens to their shelter Saturday.

The organization hosted a “kitten shower” to welcome their arrival and encourage people to donate kitten food and care supplies. A complete registry can be found at www.sdhumane.org/KittenShower. 

"Our Kitten Nursery program and its dedicated volunteers provide specialized, around-the-clock care to these tiny kittens during the most critical stage of their lives," Jacqueline Noble, Kitten Nursery Supervisor, said in a statement. "We are the only animal shelter in Southern California that can give them the 24-hour support they need to reach full development, so making sure we have all the supplies we need is crucial."

Volunteers helped foster more than 1,400 kitten last year and organizers expect this year to be just as busy, if not busier, for the organization.

For more information on this event and current animals available for adoption, click here. 

Police are searching for the drivers of two cars that were racing early Sunday morning, leading one to crash into a third car and sending the driver to the hospital.

The incident happened around 1 a.m. Sunday when San Diego Police said two cars were racing Downtown. One car lost control at the intersection of 10th Street and F Street and crashed into a third car. 

The driver of that third car was taken to the hospital, police said. The drivers of the other cars took off. 

Police are searching for the driver of those cars. 

Two victims have been extracted from a vehicle in Lakeside and transported to a hospital, the California Highway Patrol said. 

The incident happened at Los Coches Road on the Interstate 8 Bus. A motorcycle was involved in the crash, the California Highway Patrol said, though the details of the accident are unclear. 

Heartland Fire said they took three people to Sharp Hospital, though the extent of the injuries is unknown. Two of the victims were extracted from the vehicle. 

Check back for updates on this developing story. 

The Aztecs have been plagued by slow starts and missed shots all season. Many times their superior defense was enough to keep them in the game.

But it was not going to work against Duke.

The Blue Devils ended the Aztecs season with a 68-49 win in the Round of 32. Duke scored the first eight points of the game. After six and a half minutes, the lead was already in double digits and the Aztecs, although they threatened to make it close a few different times, simply don't have the offensive firepower to overcome that kind of deficit against one of the best offenses in the nation.

Freshman forward Jahlil Okafor, possibly the NCAA Player of the Year, had 26 points. The Aztecs entire starting five (Winston Shepard, Aqeel Quinn, J.J. O'Brien, Dwayne Polee, Skylar Spencer) combined to score 33 points.

San Diego State finishes the season with a 27-9 record, but they lose O'Brien, Polee, Aqeel and fellow senior Ryan Staten to graduation. There is also speculation that junior Winston Shepard and even freshman Malik Pope could leave early for the NBA, so this SDSU team could look dramatically different when they start the 2015-2016 season in November.

San Diegans know spring has officially arrived when they spot the blooming flowers when driving along the freeway in North County.

Spring officially hit San Diego at 3:45 p.m. Friday and the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch can be seen along Interstate 5 in North County, and from the air.

Chopper 7 flew over the fields and captured the colorful flowers in almost full bloom, including the field’s American Flag of flowers.

For those interested in taking pictures among the ranunculus, the fields are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until May 11.

If you’ve visited the fields before, you may notice something new this year.

“The wider bed has actually allowed us to produce about 15 percent more flowers per acre than we have done historically,” said Clarke.

Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors over 60 years of age, $6 for children three to 10 years old and free for children under 2.

For more information, call (760) 431-0352 or visit www.theflowerfields.com.

Deputies are searching for a man accused of attacking a woman in a residential area in Lemon Grove, dragging her into a dark carport and sexually assaulting her.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said the assault happened Friday around 9:20 p.m. in the 3200 block of Massachusetts Avenue. The victim was walking alone when a stranger approached her and said he had a knife, threatening to harm her.

The man then allegedly dragged the woman into a dark carport near a home and sexually assaulted her. He took off running southbound after the assault was over, officials said.

The victim described the suspect as an African-American man in his mid-20s, approximately 5-foot-7 and 140 to 150 pounds. He had short hair and a small mustache.

Deputies said the victim was not able to provide clothing description for the suspect because the area was dimly lit. The victim said she did not see a getaway car. Although the man threatened her with a knife, she never saw the alleged weapon.

The victim called 911 right after the attack. The suspect was not immediately located.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the department’s Sexual Assault Unit at (858) 974-2316 or (858) 565-5200, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
 

A fire that started near a fence line and spread to a nearby trailer has been determined to be arson, investigators confirmed. 

The fire started on the 5200 block of Wightman Street at approximately 3:35 a.m. Sunday, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said. 

Investigators said someone started a fire at a fence line which then spread to a trailer nearby. 

Arson investigators were on the scene and confirmed it was arson, Lee Swanson, a spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said. 

This fire is the latest in a string of fires set in the area that fire officials believe are related. 

The area has seen roughly a dozen or so fires in the area since the start of March and investigators are looking for the person responsible. A map of several recent fires in the area shows the proximity of the recent fires to each other. 

Swanson said they have no suspects at this time. 

Calfiornia Gov. Jerry Brown tore into climate change skeptics on Sunday, saying one major presidential hopeful's position on climate change should disqualify him from the highest office in the nation.

Brown warned that climate change would be a major issue for America's next president in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," days after announcing a roughly $1 billion plan to combat California's drought.

"That man has rendered himself absolutely unfit to be running for office," Brown said, when asked about Texas Senator Ted Cruz's claim that there isn't a scientific consensus that climate change is caused by human activity.

Cruz made his remarks on "Late Night With Seth Meyers" this week, saying that "climate alarmists" have a problem because scientific data doesn't back up their claims.

"My view actually is simple. Debates on this should follow science and should follow data," Cruz said.

The Associated Press reported Sunday that Cruz was preparing to formally announce on Monday that he will run for president in 2016.

Brown, who has sought the White House three times, said more than 90 percent of climate scientists "are absolutely convinced" that human and industrial activity are leading to heat-trapping greenhouse gasses that caused both California's drought and severe cold and storms on the Eastern seaboard.

According to NASA, 97 percent of climate scientists agree that warming trends in the last 100 years are "very likely due to human activities."

When pressed by NBC's Chuck Todd, Brown didn't directly link his state's drought crisis to climate change, but said more droughts are inevitable in the coming decades. Two-thirds of California are in an extreme drought after more than three years of low water levels, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Brown also called the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) letter to convince states to block or ignore the EPA's proposed carbon pollution regulations "a disgrace."

"Here's the point, that the buildup of carbon coming from coal and petroleum and other sources, that this is going to create these droughts and much, much worse. And that's why to have the leader of the Senate, Mr. McConnell representing his coal constituents, are putting it at risk, the health and well being of America, is a disgrace," Brown said.

Calling the drought California's new normal, Brown wants a presidential campaign "almost at the level of a crusade" to make the public aware that man-made carbon dioxide emissions can have an affect on the climate. He implied that politicians who dismiss the scientific consensus on climate change are doing the bidding of profit-hungry constituents and corporate donors.

"The coal companies are not as important as the people of America and the people of the world," Brown said.

Climate change, balancing the country's budget and investing in science and technology are the three issues presidential candidates should be talking about, Brown said.

Asked if he would consider running if he was 10 years younger, the 76-year-old Brown said, "Yes, I would."

"If I could go back in a time machine and be 66, I might jump in. But that's a counterfactual, so you don't need to speculate on that," he added.

A four-year-old child that appeared to wander into a neighbor's pool in Ramona has died, Sheriff's officials said. 

At approximately 3:33 p.m. Saturday, Sheriff's deputies were called to help fire officials with a child that had possibly drowned in a residential pool on the 16000 block of Swartz Canyon Road in Ramona, said Lt. John Maryon. 

Sheriff's deputies said the child appeared to wander into a neighbor's backyard pool and drowned. 

When the dog started barking, the homeowner saw the child and called 911. She was given instructions on how to perform CPR over the phone. 

Paramedics arrived shortly after and tried to resuscitate the child, Sheriff's officials said. The four-year-old was taken to Rady Children's Hospital in an ambulance later, said Maryon, but the child did not survive. 

Detectives from the Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit and Homicide Detail will investigate. 

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-TIPS(8477).