Newspaper Articles
December 23, 2009 - The Desert Sun
Fire at Condo Complex Puts Five Families out of Homes
Five families were displaced early Monday morning after a fire crawled up a wall from an outdoor storage closet and charred the exterior of two unites in a Cathedral City condominium complex.
Several fire engines, including a ladder truck, reported to the scene around 1 a.m. at Candlewood Villas II at 32-505 Candlewood Drive. Smoke alarms from several units could be heard screeching as thick black smoke billowed from the building.
Cathedral City Fire Battalion Chief Robert Van Nortrick said the cause of the fire is "undetermined" at this time.
"We couldn't find anything specific that could have started it," he said Monday afternoon.
No estimates of damage are currently available, but insurance adjusters were expected on the scene through Wednesday to assess damage.
The blaze appeared to have started in an outside storage closet of a downstairs unit. A resident in a nearby condo noticed smoke coming from a dryer vent and grabbed a garden hose in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the flames and smoke before firefighters arrived. The fire then shot up through a cubby hole in an attic space in the roof.
Firefighters brought in axes and saws to cut through the tan stucco exterior walls of the building to contain the flames to a patio roof and wall. Holes were also cut in the roof of two units.
Six of the eight units in the building were affected by smoke and/or water damage. No injuries were reported.
Residents from other units in the complex stood around the perimeter of the burning building and offered support to their neighbors. The American Red Cross stepped in around 3 a.m. and offered condo dwellers in the affected building shelter for the night. One family accepted, while other residents were able to stay with family and friends.
December 23, 2009 - The Desert Sun
No injuries were reported in a structure fire that displaced a Palm Springs family Wednesday night.
The fire was reported about 7 p.m. at 395 Dominguez Road, according to Palm Springs firefighters.
THe blaza began in a fireplace and spread into the attic.
Firefighters determined the fireplace's damper was closed.
The blaze caused $100,000 in damage according to firefighters.
The family was placed into another home.
December 15, 2009 - The Desert Sun
A dryer vent lint fire caused $10,000 in damage to a garage at a home in Desert Hot Springs, a fire captain said Monday.
The blaze at 66-626 Cahuilla Ave. was reported about 11:40 p.m. Sunday, said Capt. Fernando Herrera of the Riverside County Fire Department.
Ten firefighters contained the flames to a garage within 10 minutes. THe fire was declared under control by 1:30 a.m., Herrera said.
July 14, 2007 - Press Enterprise
A fire in a clothes dryer caused about $30,000 in damage to a house on Brownie Way in Beaumont on Friday morning according to a Cal Fire Riverside County Fire Departmentnews release.
Initial investication indicated a lint buildup in the dryer may have started the laundry room fire.
A woman resident and dog escaped without injury Patterson said.