Fire Near March Air Reserve Base Damages 'Numerous Vehicles'

PERRIS, CA — A fire erupted Thursday near March Air Reserve Base in Perris and damaged several vehicles, extending into a field before Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department fighters halted its progress. According to a department spokesperson, the fire ignited near a plastics manufacturing facility along the base's southern boundary.

Just after 11 a.m., smoke was reported near Harley Knox Boulevard and Patterson Avenue, just east of Interstate 215.

Several engine crews arrived at the location, which was engulfed in flames near the plastics manufacturing plant. Fire raged in a "pile of plastic pipes, extending into a field and along the shoulder of Harley Knox within a one-block space."

The March ARB Fire Brigade, along with personnel from the Riverside Fire Department and other agencies, assisted county firefighters.

Sheriff's deputies shut down both sides of Harley Knox, between I-215 and Oleander Avenue, for public safety.

No evacuations were ordered, though surrounding business employees were asked to shelter in place, according to reports from the scene.

Preliminary reports showed that upwards of 50 vehicles were damaged, and three or four commercial structures were threatened as the flames spread into the field near Patterson, but firefighters stopped the blaze's forward rate of spread just before noon.

Officials say the fire has been nearly contained, and the number of vehicles damaged would likely tbe reduced.

Fire investigators believe that a malfunctioning electrical transformer may have sparked the blaze.

SoCal Edison technicians were summoned to the location to carry out an inspection and make repairs.

This developing report will be updated as further information is released.