EAST COUNTY: An electrical problem in a garage sparked a two-alarm fire that destroyed most of a Granite Hills house yesterday, authorities said.

Investigators determined the cause of the blaze that broke out about 4:30 p.m. on Euclid Avenue near Valley View Boulevard, in an unincorporated area east of El Cajon, sheriff's Lt. Anthony Ray said.

A tall column of black smoke could be seen from El Cajon valley as flames raced through the two-story wood house with a shake roof, said Leonard Villarreal, a spokesman for the San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District.

Some neighbors reported the blaze started in the garage, while others saw it engulfing the second floor, Villarreal said. A sheriff's official said a propane tank explosion was heard.

The second alarm drew about 40 firefighters from El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, San Miguel fire district and Cal Fire. They doused most of the flames by 5 p.m.

Damage was estimated at $500,000. Villarreal said firefighters pushed an expensive ski boat out of harm's way, but a pickup in the driveway was damaged. No injuries were reported. It wasn't clear if anyone was living in the home at the time, but no one was there when the fire broke out, Ray said. –P.R.