The Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson unit is investigating a fire in Twentynine Palms Friday morning that has been called “suspicious.” Firefighters from Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, and the Combat Center were called to the blaze in the 73000 block of Sun Valley Drive at 11:08 a.m.
County Fire Battalion Chief Donnie Viloria said that initial reports were that people were trapped inside the home; firefighters had to assist an elderly disabled man out of the house, but the other two residents, three children, and a dog had gotten out on their own. One of the other men had burns to his hands.
Witnesses reported hearing explosions before they noticed the flames. The garage was fully involved in smoke and flames when firefighters arrived. Viloria said firefighters launched an aggressive attack and were able to contain the blaze to the garage and a few palm trees in the front yard, although the home did suffer minimal damage as well as smoke damage.
Viloria said the garage’s roof collapsed, which he said indicates a very hot and intense fire, which is not normally seen in a fire of this type. The Sheriff’s Department is investigating.
