Historic Boy Scouts Building Burns In RivCo Park

BANNING, CA—A fire broke out overnight at the former Boy Scouts Camp building inside Repplier Park. The cause of the blaze that devastated the historic structure remains under investigation.

Just before 1:15 a.m., Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department responded to reports of an active fire at the Banning Park, located at 749 North San Gorgonio Avenue in Banning.

Upon arrival, the battalion chief reported that an outbuilding—the log building once a Boy Scout Camp—was fully involved in flames.

"About 80 percent of the historic building was destroyed," Cal Fire spokesperson Karina Espinosa told Patch.

Banning Electrical was requested at the scene, and the fire was contained by 3 a.m. Crews worked the fire scene another two hours, conducting mop-up efforts.

"There was an extended overhaul due to the heavy fire," Espinoza said. No one was injured during the incident.

"This is a regular spot for homeless people to camp," a witness told Patch. "The city staff has boarded the structure many times. It's been a cycle."

According to a report from the Record Gazette, Repplier Park's Scout House was a meeting place for Banning-area Scouts for 81 years before it was abandoned.