A vehicle fire in Morongo Valley over the weekend is being investigated for possible arson. On Sunday, (February 6) shortly after 10 a.m., the Morongo Valley Fire Department received a dispatch call regarding a vehicle fire in the 51000 block of Livingston Road in Morongo Valley. When the medic engine arrived on-scene they observed a fully involved pick-up truck on fire with an abandoned brick building and a motorhome in proximity from the burning vehicle. Captain Jonny Williams conducted a scene size-up and quickly had firefighters pull attack hose lines to protect the nearby building and motorhome. Firefighters from Morongo Valley Fire Department began a fire attack and had the fire extinguished within 7 minutes after arriving on-scene. The pick-up truck was destroyed by fire.
After the fire was extinguished firefighters began mop-up operations using a thermal imaging camera, hand tools, and an attack hose line to ensure there were no hidden hot spots that could reignite and cause another fire. During the mop-up operation of the fire scene, a press release from Chief Brakebill states that there was evidence the fire may have been caused by arson. While the firefighters were securing the scene witnesses reportedly stated they saw an unidentified female running from the fire scene just prior to the arrival of the fire department. Another witness stated that they observed an unidentified male on a golf cart rapidly leaving the fire scene just before the fire ignited. Based on the on-scene evidence and statements from witnesses the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Arson Unit was contacted to investigate and determine if the crime of arson was committed.
Due to the quick response and the appropriate fireground tactics by fire personnel, there was no fire spread to the surrounding vegetation and no damage to nearby structures. There were no injuries to fire personnel working on the fire scene.
