Man charged with attempted murder & arson for DHS mobile home fire

Attempted murder, criminal threats and multiple felony arson charges were filed Wednesday against a man who allegedly set fire to a number of homes at a Desert Hot Springs mobile home park on Friday, June 3, resulting in the hospitalization of a county firefighter.

Michael Eric McPeters, 42, is charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of criminal threats, three counts of arson of an inhabited property, one count of arson of an uninhabited property, and one count of arson of a structure or forest land. He also faces sentence-enhancing allegations for causing multiple structures to burn and for committing arson while the state’s emergency drought regulations were in effect.

McPeters was arrested late Friday night by Cal Fire investigators and was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he was being held in lieu of $55,000 bail, according to jail records.

He is accused of committing arson Friday at the Palm Drive Mobile Estates, 15687 Palm Drive. The fire, which was reported at 4:52 p.m., caused an estimated $40,000 in damage. Flames spread by strong winds prompted residents living downwind of the fire to evacuate.

More than 30 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, one of whom suffered non life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, said Jody Hagemann of the Riverside County Fire Department.

Crews were able to contain the fire at 5:48 p.m. but remained on scene for several hours, Hagemann said.

June 3rd – Residents talk about mobile home fire

At least two mobile homes were destroyed after a fire ignited at the Palm Drive Estates Mobile Home Park in Desert Hot Springs late Friday afternoon. The complex is located at 15687 Palm Drive, south of Camino Campesino.

Almost half a dozen people are without a home after a fire destroyed a couple of mobile homes in Desert Hot Springs Friday night.

15-year-old Nora Duenas said she recalls witnessing the fire that started around 5 p.m.

“I just saw like a whole bunch of smoke,” Duenas said. “It was all pitch black and gray, and it was scary, because I just saw a whole bunch of cars and people outside.”

CAL FIRE crews contained the fire around 5:45 p.m.

For Duenas, she said her main concern was the safety of her family members living in one of the homes.

“I feel like if something happened to them, like what if they weren’t here right now,” Duenas said.

With high temperatures throughout much of the Coachella Valley, firefighters said residents should be careful.

“At times when the temperatures are high, let’s be very vigilant about what we do around the houses,” CAL FIRE Captain Scott Visyak said. “Whether it’s barbecuing, mowing, anything of that nature to where it could be a high hazard during high temperatures.”

While Duenas said while some may have been without a home, she’s thankful they still have each other.

“There’s a whole bunch of kids here, so it’s for their safety,” Duenas said

CAL FIRE officials said one firefighter was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries related to the heat.

While crews said the heat and wind may have played a role in spreading the fire, the cause of the fire is still unknown.

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At least two mobile homes were destroyed after a fire ignited at the Palm Drive Estates Mobile Home Park in Desert Hot Springs late Friday afternoon. The complex is located at 15687 Palm Drive, south of Camino Campesino.

One firefighter was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The fire ignited at 4:52 p.m. and crews had it fully contained by 5:48 p.m., according to Cal Fire.

Several residents were evacuated, including those who were downwind, as a precaution. Fire officials said heavy winds fanned the flames making it more difficult to douse the fire.

KESQ and CBS Local 2 viewers at the scene began sharing video as residents watched their homes become fully engulfed in flames (Courtesy of Edgar Lopez). Another video from viewer Willy Diaz captures the heavy smoke ascending into the air right after the fire ignited.

We’re waiting to get more information about how the fire started. We’ll have updates as soon as they’re available.