Deadly Cabazon helicopter crash: Fire site now a crime scene investigation
The site of a structure fire that led to a devastating helicopter crash Sunday claiming the lives of three people is now being investigated as a crime scene.
The incident unfolded on Sunday evening in Cabazon when firefighters responded to reports of a structure fire on Broadway at Esperanza Avenue in Cabazon. The blaze's origin remains under investigation, with authorities yet to determine whether the fire began in the house, later spreading to the surrounding brush, or vice versa. The flames eventually consumed approximately 3 acres of land as firefighting crews fought tirelessly to contain the inferno.
Tragedy struck when two helicopters collided in mid-air, resulting in the loss of three lives, CalFire Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez, and contract pilot Tony Sousa.
"CalFire has the largest aircraft fleet in the world for firefighting," said Capt. Richard Cordova. "We are well known for our safety record. So something like this that happens is very tragic to our department."
Tuesday, crime scene tape surrounded the home that was at the center of the initial fire call. A California Department of Justice's forensics team was at the scene, photographing the aftermath and processing the rubble. The presence of a crime scene response unit is raising questions about the possibility of a criminal investigation.
The aftermath of the helicopter crash has prompted a comprehensive investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). "We’ll examine the airframe, the engine and other components as necessary," said Eleazar Nepomuceno, an NTSB aviation accident investigator. "Once the wreckage has been recovered, our team will collect archived information which will include the pilot, the machine, and the environment."
As of now, the specifics of investigators' findings remain undisclosed. CalFire's spokesperson acknowledged that the fire scene is now under law enforcement control, emphasizing the need to await the conclusion of the investigation for answers.
