Firefighters & police investigate string of fires in DHS

Cal Fire and Riverside County Firefighters were battling a blaze that sparked at an abandoned building in the 13000 block of Palm Drive on Monday morning.

The 5,000 square-foot building is located at the corner of Palm Drive and Hacienda Avenue, and only a skeleton of the building remains Monday afternoon.

This is just one of ten fires in the last 30 days and the third since Sunday, firefighters said.

This most recent 2-alarm fire was reported just after 9 a.m. and extra firetrucks were called to the scene. Firefighters had the blaze contained just before 10:40 a.m. but the building was completely destroyed. The roof collapsed, leaving nothing but the frame of what used to be the Revivals building.

Monday’s strong winds accelerated the fire as it spread from the attic to the roof, eventually caving in the building. Palm Drive was closed in the area while firefighters worked to douse the flames.

Firefighters said the rash of fires is troublesome.

“We’ve had quite a few fires in the area,” said Battalion Chief Mark League. “As always it’s a strain on our resources when we’re going to fires every single day. So we’re going to do our part and make sure all fires are investigated, and if we find any connection, the Fire Prevention Bureau will handle it,” said League.

The cause of Monday’s fire is under investigation, but with the recent string of fires, authorities said it is suspicious.

Officials said some transients are known to be in and out of the abandoned building and there’s a chance they could be connected to the fires.

Some residents think the problem is the number of abandoned buildings in Desert Hot Springs and not having enough shelters for the homeless.

Officers said a string of fires like this is rare. Commander Jim Henson with the Desert Hot Springs Police Department said, “I’ve been here 10 years, we get burglary patterns and every once in awhile something like this.”

Before Monday morning’s fire, the most recent sparked just a couple of blocks away on Sunday night. That blaze caused $140,000 in damage to a residence in the 13600 block of Mesquite Avenue.

The Desert Hot Springs Police Department is asking for the public’s help.

“Obviously the public’s help is appreciated because we can’t be everywhere especially by vacant buildings . So if you see someone near a vacant building, please call us,” said Commander Henson.

Officers said they’re also working with property owners to make sure their property gets boarded up and locked in some way.

If you see suspicious activity near abandoned buildings in Desert Hot Springs, call police at (760) 329-6411.