A fire broke out near a hangar at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in the Kearny Mesa neighborhood of San Diego early Thursday morning, prompting a response from multiple San Diego Fire-Rescue Department engine companies and temporarily closing Balboa Avenue.

The blaze was reported around 4:45 a.m. near the airport's east end, according to SDFD spokesperson Emily Torres. Firefighters arrived to find a storage structure adjacent to a hangar on fire. The fire was contained to that structure and did not spread to any aircraft, fuel storage, or other airport buildings.

"We got here, the structure was fully involved. Our crews made an aggressive interior attack and got it under control relatively quickly. No injuries to firefighters or civilians on site."

— SDFD Battalion Chief Mark Alvarez, speaking at the scene around 7 a.m.

As a precaution, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a brief ground stop for Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, which handles small general aviation aircraft. The airport was reopened to operations by 8 a.m., according to FAA records.

Road Closures and Traffic Impact

Balboa Avenue at Othello Street was partially blocked by emergency vehicles and fire hoses throughout the morning. The San Diego Police Department diverted westbound traffic away from the area, causing significant backups during the morning commute. All lanes were expected to fully reopen by mid-morning.

Commuters were advised to use SR-52 or Clairemont Mesa Boulevard as alternative routes to avoid the Kearny Mesa area during the closure.

No Injuries Reported

Airport personnel were not in the affected area when the fire started, and no tenants or passersby were injured, officials confirmed. The storage structure contained tools and maintenance equipment used by airport contractors, not aircraft or fuel.

"We're very fortunate this happened in the early morning hours when the airport was quiet," Torres said. "Had this occurred during peak hours, the road closure situation would have been far more complex."

Cause Under Investigation

San Diego Fire-Rescue arson investigators arrived on scene shortly after the fire was knocked down. Officials said it is standard procedure to investigate any commercial structure fire. No preliminary cause has been determined.

Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport is a general aviation facility in Kearny Mesa that handles private planes, flight schools, and small charter operations. It is one of two general aviation airports in the city, alongside Brown Field Municipal Airport in Otay Mesa.

This is a developing story. NBC 7 will provide updates as they become available. Reach our newsroom at tips@nbcsandiego.com or call our 24-hour news line.