Blaze Threatens Homes, Businesses In West Riverside Before Crews Stop It

RIVERSIDE, CA — A fire that erupted Tuesday behind a Riverside home spread to a debris pile and briefly threatened multiple properties before crews got it under control.

The non-injury blaze was reported at 1:30 p.m. in the 6500 block of Gaylord Street, just west of Tyler Street, according to the Riverside Fire Department.

Battalion Chief Pat Hopkins said five engine crews and a truck company, numbering roughly two dozen personnel, were sent to the location and encountered flames "burning in the backyard of a residence."

"The fire spread to trash and debris in an adjacent property, threatening a business in the 10300 block of Arlington Avenue," Hopkins said.

He said firefighters established hose lays in minutes north of Arlington and south of Gaylord, preventing the blaze from reaching surrounding "homes and businesses."

The fire was declared completely under control just before 2 p.m.

"The cause appears to be accidental in nature, related to grinding metal near dry grass," the battalion chief said, underscoring the need for caution when doing anything that may throw sparks outdoors during hot dry weather.

—City News Service