University Incident
Incident Name: University Incident
Date Reported: 12/16/2024
Time Reported: 1412 Hours
Incident Location: 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA 92507
Ward #: Ward 2 Cervantes
Type of Incident: Structure Fire
Incident Number: RIV #24-044311
Control Time:
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Resources Assigned
Chief Officer(s): 2
Engine Companies: 7
Truck Companies: 2
Squad(s): 1
Ambulance(s):
Firefighter(s): 25
Safety Officer(s):
Public Information Officer(s):
Fire Investigator(s):
Overhead Personnel: 2
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Current Situation
On December 16, 2024, at 2:12 p.m., the Riverside Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the Entomology Building, located at 900 University Avenue. The initial response was a single engine company dispatched on a box alarm. Upon arrival, the first engine found that the building's alarm system had been activated, with students and faculty evacuating from the building. Smoke was observed on the first, second, and third floors.
The Company Officer upgraded the response to a first alarm, and the Battalion Chief further escalated the alarm to two alarms due to the building's complexity and multiple laboratories. The Haz-Mat team was also called to the scene as a precautionary measure. Dispatched reported alarms were activated on six labs.
Upon investigation, the source of the smoke was identified as a failed power unit in the HVAC system located on the roof. It was also determined that no hazardous materials were involved in the incident. The building was ventilated to clear the smoke. It remains unclear whether any experiments were impacted by the incident. Once the situation was under control, the building was handed over to the UCR Building Services for further management. Students and faculty were permitted to repopulate the building.
Assisting Aid Agencies
Incident Commander: Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst
Prepared By: Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst
Date / Time Posted: 12/16/2024 at 1835 Hours
Information Center: 951.826.5321