Riverside Fire Department

Vacant Building Fire



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Incident Name: Indiana Incident

Date Reported: 07/10/2019

Time Reported: 0005 Hours

Incident Location: Indiana and Van Buren

Ward #: Ward 5 MacArthur

Type of Incident: Commercial Structure Fire

Incident Number: 19-0020265

Control Time: 07/10/2019 0154

Fatalities: 0

Critical: 0

Moderate: 0

Minor: 0

Non Injury:

Displaced Persons:

Loss: 250,000

Save: 50,000

Cause:

  • Cause undetermined after investigation
  • Evacuations:

    Evacuation Comments:



    Resources Assigned


    Chief Officer(s): 2

    Engine Companies: 4

    Truck Companies: 2

    Squad(s): 1

    Ambulance(s): 1

    Firefighter(s): 24

    Safety Officer(s):

    Public Information Officer(s):

    Fire Investigator(s): 1

    Overhead Personnel: 1

    Mutual Aid:

    Specialized Equipment:

  • Breathing Support
  • EOC:

    Utilities:

    Red Cross:

    Percent (%) Contained or Completed:

    Total (%) of Perimeter that will be Contained:

    Incident Size Acreage:


    Current Situation


    (Recent updates are posted at the top of the Current Situation)

    The City of Riverside Fire Department responded to a report of a fire in a vacant commercial building at the corner of Indiana and Van Buren. The first due Battalion Chief arrived on scene and reported a 5000 square foot vacant restaurant with moderate smoke coming from the rear of the structure. Due to the size of the building, an additional Engine Company and Truck Company were requested to the scene. Fire Fighters were challenged in accessing the building as it had been heavily reinforced to prevent break-ins. Once Riverside firefighters were able to make access, they were confronted with large piles of wire and debris, which prevented them from making direct access to the fire. Shortly thereafter, the fire burned through the roof, and all firefighters assumed a defensive attack on the fire. The large amount of debris fueled the flames, and eventually both truck companies were forced to apply aerial master streams on the flames to knock them down. Indiana Avenue was shut down between Van Buren and the eastbound 91 freeway off-ramp for most of the night as supply lines from hydrants were stretched across the roadway. But by morning rush hour, firefighters had opened up all lanes and are using a water tender to supply water for mop-up. Riverside firefighters will likely remain on scene through the morning knocking down hot-spots. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.


    Assisting Aid Agencies



    Incident Commander: BC Jeff DeLaurie

    Prepared By: BC Jeff DeLaurie

    Date / Time Posted: 07/10/2019 0643

    Information Center: 951.826.5321