Garage, shed, vehicles, destroyed by fast-moving SJ blaze

SAN JACINTO — A garage and shed were destroyed by a fast-moving blaze at a San Jacinto home earlier today. Two residents and their pets were displaced by the fire, that fire happened at a single story residence on the 800 block of Windsong Lane, between N. Ramona Blvd and W. Ramona Expressway, in San Jacinto.

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Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the home about 2:50 p.m., after several neighbors and area residents reported flames shooting from the home’s garage. 911 callers also reported hearing a number of small explosions from the home’s garage as the fire was spreading.

Twenty-six firefighters from seven engine companies responded to the fire, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire spokesperson Tawny Cabral explained in an incident report. They were assisted by Soboba and City of Hemet Fire Departments, a Breathing Support Unit, and a Paramedic Squad.

When firefighters arrived they reported that the garage was fully engulfed and that flames were spreading and threatening other area homes.

Firefighters spent about 30 minutes knocking down the blaze, which they contained to the home’s garage and an adjacent shed. Two vehicles that had been parked in the home’s driveway were also damaged by the fire.

After the fire was extinguished, officials requested American Red Cross personnel and Animal Control officials to the scene to assist two adults and their pets who were displaced due to extensive smoke and fire damage throughout the residence.

Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company officials were also summoned to the home to shut off utilities to the residence.

Firefighters estimated the loss at about $150,000, but say their efforts saved about $200,000 in property and personal belongings.

No citizen or firefighter injuries were reported as a result of the blaze.

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Will Whelan/Hemet Valley Incidents photos

Will Whelan/Hemet Valley Incidents video

 

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Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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.