University Incident
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
/* */
Cause:
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:
EOC: 1
Utilities:
Red Cross:
Percent (%) Contained or Completed:
Total (%) of Perimeter that will be Contained:
Incident Size Acreage:
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
Incident Commander: Bruce Vanderhorst
Prepared By: Bruce Vanderhorst
Date / Time Posted: 7/16/2020 2220 Hours
Information Center: 951.237-6310
