PERRIS: Huge pallet fire brings overwhelming response, forces Ramona Expressway closure
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PERRIS – A massive three alarm fire at a pallet yard in Perris destroyed about two acres of pallets early Friday, Nov. 18. The fire spread to multiple vehicles as well as power poles and propane tanks – causing multiple explosions and adding danger to firefighters battling the blaze – according to a fire official.
Firefighters spent about seven hours battling the huge fire, which could be seen for miles. No citizens or firefighters were injured by the blaze.
Multiple citizens called 911 to report the fire, which broke out at GPC Pallets at 2:49 a.m. The company’s property is located at 3931 Brennan Avenue in Perris, near North Webster Avenue and West Ramona Expressway.
58 Firefighters and 6 battalion commanders from 18 engine companies and two truck companies responded to the blaze. They were assisted by a Breathing Support Unit and a bulldozer, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County fire Public Information Officer Jody Hagemann. American Medical Response medics were also called to the scene, in the event of any injuries.
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“The first arriving truck company reported a working fire in a large section of pallets,” Hagemann explained in an initial incident report.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Perris Station were requested to the scene to close down both directions of West Ramona Expressway, to ensure the safety of firefighters and citizens. Early morning commuters were forced to find alternate routes around the fire.
While firefighter battled the blaze, they reported multiple explosions from propane tanks from within the property. The loud explosions rocked nearby residents and rattled nerves, causing many people to continually call 911 to report the ongoing explosions.
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Firefighters requested Southern California Edison personnel to respond to the fire for two power poles that burned during the fire. Eastern Municipal Water District was also requested to the scene.
At 5:39 a.m., Hagemann reported the fire was holding at two acres, with firefighters continuing to battle the blaze from all four sides.
The fire was eventually knocked down at 10:15 a.m.; however, fire resources were expected to remain at the scene throughout the day to ensure against accidental flare ups and to conduct extensive mop up operations.
Ramona Expressway was expected to be reopened by 1:30 p.m.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations and he finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.
Wow, what a fire!