RIVERSIDE: Homeless Encampment Fire

On Monday night, June 10, 2019, the City of Riverside Fire Department responded to multiple reports of a vegetation fire behind a Walgreens Pharmacy. The fire was reported around 9:49pm in a homeless encampment directly behind the Walgreens Pharmacy at Van Buren Blvd. and Arlington Ave. While resources were enroute, they were advised of explosions being heard. The first arriving engine company reported a 40’x50′ spot burning in thick vegetation with several small propane tanks in a homeless encampment. Firefighters were able to make a quick and aggressive fire attack and contained the fire to the encampment. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known.