Residential Structure Fire

Incident Name: 14th St

Date Reported: 03/21/2021

Time Reported: 0200

Incident Location: 1800 block of MLK

Ward #: 2

Type of Incident: Residential Structure Fire

Incident Number: 21-008676

Control Time: 0220

Fatalities:

Critical:

Moderate:

Minor:

Non Injury:

Displaced Persons:

Loss: 200000

Save: 210000

Cause:

Evacuations:

Evacuation Comments:

Chief Officer(s): 1

Engine Companies: 3

Truck Companies: 1

Squad(s): 1

Ambulance(s):

Firefighter(s): 17

Safety Officer(s):

Public Information Officer(s):

Fire Investigator(s): 1

Overhead Personnel: 1

Mutual Aid:

Specialized Equipment:

EOC:

Utilities:

Red Cross:

Percent (%) Contained or Completed:

Total (%) of Perimeter that will be Contained:

Incident Size Acreage:

The City of Riverside Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire in the 1800 block of Martin Luther King. Upon arrival of the 1st in fire unit, they found heavy smoke and fire showing from the Alpha-Delta corner of the structure and the attic appeared to be well involved with smoke and fire. Crews engaged in a safe and aggressive fire attack mitigating the incident. This structure created some challenges as it was a pre-1933 Victorian style home with balloon construction. This allowed the fire to travel in the walls, the floor joist and into the attic. Once the bulk of the fire was extinguished crews went into overhaul mode and checked for fire extension.

The structure was vacant with minimal furniture inside. We salvaged the furniture and moved it into the kitchen where there was less damage.

The on duty fire investigators were notified of the incident and of a possible suspect in the area 20 minutes prior to the fire. The information was passed onto the fire investigation bureau and it appeared that the fire started on the outside of the structure in the Alpha-Delta corner and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The homeowner, who lives in LA, was notified via phone call and was advised of the incident. He was given the incident number and the opportunity to obtain an incident report. However, he chose not to respond in to secure the property. He was advised the we would try and secure it the best we possibly can.

Riverside Public Utilities was requested to ensure that the power drop line to the structure was not live as we had to work around the weather head to extinguish smoldering fires in and around that area.

There were no firefighter injuries on this incident. Crews picked up their equipment and returned to their quarters.

Incident Commander: Battalion Chief Tony Perna

Prepared By: Battalion Chief Tony Perna

Date / Time Posted: 03/21/2021 1245

Information Center: 951.826.5321

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