Coachella Valley Fire Prompts School Evacuation

INDIO, CA -- A structure erupted in flames Wednesday afternoon in Indio. The third-alarm fire was reported in the 81000 block of Highway 111 around 12:30 p.m., according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Fire officials said the fire happened in a 200,000-square-foot abandoned commercial building, prompting the response of more than 55 firefighters and 12 engines.

School officials said the fire prompted the evacuation of nearby Indio High School where students were taken to the Ed White Stadium as a precaution. Water was being provided, but with air quality a concern, district officials soon decided to release the students early.

Police temporarily shut down Highway 111 from Monroe to Las Palmas streets and Avenue 46 from Avenida Del Mar to Clinton Street, as crews fought the blaze, which sent a billowing cloud of black smoke over the area.

The fire was contained at around 2:15 p.m., officials reported.

Students walking home were being directed along safe routes with assistance from Indio police, according to the school district, while those needing to be picked up by parents were being directed to the Indio Community Center at 45871 Clinton St., just north of the campus.

Classes were expected to resume Thursday morning.

--Photo by Renee Schiavone / City News Service contributed to this report