MEAD VALLEY: Firefighters find dead body while extinguishing vegetation fire

MEAD VALLEY — Sheriff’s officials are investigating after a body was found by firefighters while extinguishing a vegetation fire, early Friday morning, Nov. 24. The deadly fire happened in the area of Cajalco Road and Haines Street in the unincorporated community of Mead Valley.

Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters responded to the scene of the early morning fire at 5:32 a.m., after a person called 911 to report seeing flames in the area.

Fourteen firefighters from four engine companies responded to the scene of the fire, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire spokeswoman April Newman explained in an incident report. They were later assisted by an arson/fire investigator.

“Firefighters arrived on scene of a large spot of vegetation on fire, burning at a slow rate of spread in heavy fuels,” said Newman.

Although firefighters managed to quickly knock down the blaze, they located to body of a person within the area of the fire.

Officials did not specify if the person, who has not been identified pending notification of family members, died from the fire or by other means and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is now overseeing the investigation.

Their investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information about this fire or the deceased person is encouraged to contact Riverside County Sheriff’s officials at (951) 776-1099. Callers can refer to incident file number CA-RRU-144931 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor 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, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.