Riverside Fire Department

University Incident



Fire incident Banner

Incident Name: University Incident

Date Reported: 7/16/2020

Time Reported: 1633 hours

Incident Location: 1333 University Ave, Riverside, CA 92507

Ward #: Ward 2 Melendrez

Type of Incident: Commercial Structure Fire

Incident Number: RIV #20-020283

Control Time: 7/16/2020 at 2130 hours

Fatalities:

Critical:

Moderate:

Minor:

Non Injury:

Displaced Persons:

Loss: $4,000,000

Save:

Cause:

  • Cause under investigation
  • Evacuations: Yes

    Evacuation Comments: Dynasty Suites



    Resources Assigned


    Chief Officer(s): 2

    Engine Companies: 8

    Truck Companies: 3

    Squad(s): 1

    Ambulance(s): 2

    Firefighter(s): 44

    Safety Officer(s): 1

    Public Information Officer(s): 1

    Fire Investigator(s): 1

    Overhead Personnel: 3

    Mutual Aid:

    Specialized Equipment:

  • Breathing Support
  • Haz-Mat
  • EOC: 1

    Utilities:

    Red Cross:

    Percent (%) Contained or Completed:

    Total (%) of Perimeter that will be Contained:

    Incident Size Acreage:


    Current Situation


    (Recent updates are posted at the top of the Current Situation)

    On Thursday July 16, 2020 at 4:33 p.m., The City of Riverside Fire Department dispatched a first alarm structure fire assignment to reports of a vacant structure with black smoke coming from the structure to the rear of Dynasty Suites in the 1300 Block of University Ave.  Firefighters arrived on scene to find a vacant boarded up restaurant Tremors with heavy smoke coming from the structure.  The Battalion Chief immediately upgraded the assignment to a second and third alarm, two AMR ambulances, PIO and Safety Officer. 

    Firefighters made an aggressive fire attack into the structure to discover a working attic fire with a fire to the rear of the structure in a back room.  A primary search of the structure was performed and was all clear of any occupants.  Firefighters had a difficult time with the attic space and multiple rooms within the structure.   Firefighters were unable to extinguish the attic fire and the structure became compromised.  The mode of operation became a defensive fire.   Exposure group was set-up for Dynasty Suites and the Grand Marc Apartments.  Half of Dynasty Suites were evacuated. 

    Firefighters went defensive on the structure with three aerial master streams and several hose lines.  The fire was extinguished with major damage to the building.  There were no firefighter or civilian injuries.  Code Enforcement and the Building Owner had been working on removing the homeless that had been living in the structure and breaking into the structure.  The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time.  The building loss is estimated at $4,000,000. 

    A total of 44 Firefighters, two chief officers and three overhead personnel responded to the incident. 


    Assisting Aid Agencies


  • AMR
  • Riverside Public Utilities

  • Incident Commander: Bruce Vanderhorst

    Prepared By: Bruce Vanderhorst

    Date / Time Posted: 7/16/2020 2220 Hours

    Information Center: 951.237-6310