On Wednesday, May 17th, a residential fire displaced one Morongo Valley family along with their pets. While the family lost their home, no serious injuries were reported largely due to the swift response form Morongo Valley Fire Department with additional regional assistance.
On the southside of Senillis St. on the edge of Morongo Preserve, a house fire started when an electrical panel caught fire from circuit overload. With high winds in the area, the fire spread through the house and into nearby vegetation of the Preserve.
Morongo Valley Fire Engine 461 was on scene first, sizing up and attacking the fire on the east side to push it back from the Preserve. Chief Brakebill ordered water tanker 44 from 29 Palms, medic engine 41, Cal Fire engine 20, 36, 37, and 57, extinguishing the fire within thirty minutes. Edison was called to shut off power to avoid sparking wires, and Red Cross arrived to provide food and shelter for the family.
“It was nice to see county fire, Cal Fire, Riverside County, everybody coming together to help Morongo Valley. It was like spokes of the same wheel.”
While displaced, the family made it out safely with their pets with no serious injuries beyond one resident overcome by heat due to dehydration.
