WINCHESTER: Two killed in early morning motor home fire

WINCHESTER — Sheriff’s and fire officials are investigating the cause of a fatal fire after the bodies of two people were found by firefighters, Wednesday, Nov. 22. The victim’s bodies were discovered by firefighters after extinguishing an early morning, recreational vehicle fire

The deadly fire happened on the 31000 block of Olive Avenue, between Leon Road and Memory Lane, in the unincorporated community of Winchester, east of Hemet.

Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters responded to a report of heavy smoke in the area shortly after 6 a.m.

Eight firefighters from one engine company and one truck company were dispatched to the fire, Cal fire/Riverside County Fire spokeswoman April Newman explained in an incident report. They were assisted by an arson/fire investigator.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found an older, 25-foot motor home burning.

“Firefighters located one motor home partially involved in fire,” said Newman. “Two victims, both confirmed fatalities, were located inside the motor home.”

Officials have not released the names of the deceased; pending further investigation, identification and notification of the victim’s families.

Citing the ongoing investigation, officials have also not provided any additional details related to the two victims or if the two died as a result of the fire or by other means.

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials later responded to the scene and took removed the remains of the victim’s which one nearby neighbor described as “unrecognizable.”

After the fire, an arson/fire investigator was seen inspecting the destroyed RV while searching for a cause of the deadly blaze, which gutted the back-half of the vehicle – burning it down to the motor home’s frame.

Riverside County sheriff’s officials are assisting with the fire investigation.

Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to contact Riverside County Sheriff’s officials at (951) 776-1099. Callers can refer to incident file number CA-RRU-144023 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.