Fire Crews Battle Flames Destroying Historic Indio Home

Cal Fire crews were working to contain a fire burning a historic home on Swingle Ave. near Alberta Ave. in Indio on Tuesday afternoon.

A Cal Fire spokesperson told News Channel 3 fire had consumed 50-to-60 percent of the home, which was built somewhere between 1920 and 1940.

The home was built by Walter Swingle, who was a pioneer in bringing dates and date palms from the Middle East to the Coachella Valley.

According to the website 5homesforsale.com, “[The home] has elements of Art Moderne, Art Deco, Spanish and Ranch Architecture. The original house was 1 room – the dining room – and several rooms were added over time. The major and final remodel occurred in 1940, and Dr. Swingle was particular in employing local artisans in every aspect of the house. The custom made elements done by local craftsman place this home as a significant example of the architecture of the valley at this time.”

On Tuesday, fire reduced all of it to a shell of what it once was.

The home was vacant at the time, according to Cal Fire crews, and the outside had been tagged by graffiti.

If you have any information, call the Riverside County Fire Department at 951-940-6985.