3 Dead, 1 Critically Injured In Coachella Valley Fire

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA — Three people were killed Saturday when flames engulfed a commercial building in Cathedral City that once housed the Elks Club.

The fire was reported at 7:05 a.m. Saturday at 67491 E. Palm Canyon Drive, at or near the Canyon Plaza Shopping Center, according to Cathedral City police Sgt. Jose Nunez.

Arriving officers found the structure engulfed in flames, Nunez said.

"As officers moved around the building, they could hear people inside," he said. "Officers attempted to enter the building, but due to the heavy smoke and flames were unable to enter the building."

Cathedral City firefighters arrived and entered the building. They located and removed two people and provided emergency medical aid.

"One subject was transported to Eisenhower Medical Center in critical condition," Nunez said. "The other subject succumbed to his injuries on scene."

Firefighters searched the building again after the flames were out and made a grim discovery.

"Two additional subjects were located inside the building, deceased."

The names of the deceased were not immediately released.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

A listing on Zillow indicated the nearly 18,000-square-foot building was up for sale, listed at more than $3.5 million.

— City News Service