Incident Name: Columbia Incident
Date Reported: 04/11/2025Time Reported: 0550 Hours
Incident Location: 1000 block of Columbia Ave. Riverside, CA 92507
Ward #: Ward 2 Cervantes
Type of Incident: Hazardous Materials
Incident Number: RIV #25-012940
Control Time: 0730
Fatalities:
Critical:
Moderate:
Minor: 8
Non Injury: 9
Displaced Persons: 1
Loss:
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Cause:
Evacuations:
Evacuation Comments:
Resources Assigned
Chief Officer(s): 1
Engine Companies: 2
Truck Companies: 1
Squad(s): 1
Ambulance(s): 9
Firefighter(s): 19
Safety Officer(s): 1
Public Information Officer(s): 1
Fire Investigator(s):
Overhead Personnel:
Mutual Aid:
Specialized Equipment:
EOC:
Utilities:
Red Cross:
Percent (%) Contained or Completed:
Total (%) of Perimeter that will be Contained:
Incident Size Acreage: 1/2 Acre
Current Situation
On April 11, 2025, The City of Riverside Fire Department responded to a hazardous materials incident reported at a large commercial warehouse. Fire department crews arrived and found employees evacuating from a large cold storage facility. They were met by the building staff that reported an ammonia leak from the refrigeration system. Columbia command was established, and the Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team was requested to the scene. There were 17 people that reported exposure to ammonia, 8 patients were transported to area hospitals in stable condition. Hazardous materials crews worked in conjunction with Riverside County Environmental Health, representatives from the cold storage facility, and the Fire Prevention Division to isolate the hazard, make necessary repairs, and ensure the building is safe to reoccupy. There were not any firefighter injuries reported.
Assisting Aid Agencies
Incident Commander: Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst
Prepared By: Battalion Chief Mike Allen
Date / Time Posted: 04/11/2025 1140
Information Center: 951.826.5321