Fireplace Blaze Damages Home in Mountains

Fire damaged a home Sunday evening in the mountains near Pinyon and a fireplace problem was determined to be the cause, Cal Fire officials said.

The fire was reported at 5:02 p.m. Nov. 24 in the 61700 block of Palm Canyon, north of Pinyon Flat Campground and Highway 74, according to Melody Hendrickson of Cal Fire-Riverside County.

Seven engine companies with 25 firefighters responded, Hendrickson said in a statement.

"The first arriving engine company reported heavy smoke showing from the exterior of an 1800-square-foot single story, single family residence," Hendrickson said.

The fire was declared contained at 5:38 p.m.

"The Incident Commander reported the fire contained to the garage and the living room surrounding the fireplace," Hendrickson said. "The cause of the fire was determined to be from a fireplace malfunction."

The loss was estimated at $50,000 with property saved estimated at $80,000. No injuries were reported.