Woman evaluated after Yucca Valley home set on fire

An arson investigation is underway in Yucca Valley after a family member was found burning furniture inside the living room of a home on the 7500 block of Cherokee Trail early Friday morning.

And making the situation even more strange for the San Bernardino County Fire Department, callers reported a woman in the street waving a gun and threatening onlookers as the flames grew.

Emergency crews were called to the home shortly after 2 a.m. but fire engines were advised to set up near the home until the sheriff’s department could determine if the area was safe, due to the reported gun activity.

Firefighters said there was heavy smoke and flames coming from the center roof of the 1,700 square-foot home. Exploding five-gallon propane tanks, difficult-to-secure power lines and small caliber ammunition contributed to an already challenging firefight, officials said in the release.

All residents in the home were evacuated safely and no firefighters were injured.

The fire was discovered when residents of the home awoke to a disturbance and found a family member burning furniture inside the living room. The family tried to douse the fire but the flames continued to grow in size.

Officials said an ambulance transported a woman to High Desert Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation under the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire to be arson and estimate the total loss at $32,000.

No working smoke detectors were in the home. Firefighters remind residents to install working smoke detectors and have access to portable fire extinguishers as well.

KESQ and CBS Local 2 will provide updates as soon as more information is released.