Multiple fires ignite during Coachella Valley heat wave
Firefighters responded to a house fire in the 66000 block of Buena Vista Avenue in Desert Hot Springs shortly after 2 p.m. Monday. And not long after dousing those flames, two more fires were reported around the area.
Authorities said flames were seen coming from the single-story home when the first fire engine arrived. There was also a propane tank that was releasing gas near the fire.
Firefighters worked quickly and were able to contain the fire within 20 minutes, according to Cal Fire. Nobody was injured during the incident.
The fire department hasn’t elaborated on the extent of damage and the cause of the fire is under investigation. KESQ and CBS Local 2 will have more information when it becomes available.
The other fire that sparked in Desert Hot Springs was located in the 66000 block of Second Street. Multiple trees caught fire and spread to a shed and another structure, according to Cal Fire.
The cause of that fire is also under investigation.
The third fire sparked on Sunair Plaza in Cathedral City just before 3 p.m. as well. The fire broke out at Billington’s RV Shop on Cathedral Canyon Drive near Commercial Road.
Fire officials said the blaze started due to a short in an AC unit which caused vegetation to catch fire near the shop. Parts of the exterior were burned but firefighters were able to put out the flames before it caused more damage to the business.
“You can easily see here in another couple of minutes if we hadn’t taken immediate action that building would have been well involved,” said Eric Hauser, Battalion Chief for the Cathedral City Fire Dept.
Nobody was injured. Cathedral City and Cal Fire have sent some fire crews to battle blazes in San Diego. They needed call firefighters who were off work to come in and fight the blaze.
“California does have a robust mutual aid system so when we have areas were we have engines leave, we have engines come back and cover, so no one is left uncovered,” said
KESQ and CBS Local 2 will have updates as firefighters continue to stay busy in the triple digit heat.
