Garden Grove Three Alarm Fire Causes $1 Million in Damage at RV Shop

GARDEN GROVE, CA — An afternoon blaze engulfed a Garden Grove area R.V. service station, in a three alarm fire event for Garden Grove Firefighters.

Over $1 million in damage was caused by the blaze and leaking fuel prompted the hazardous materials response team to the scene. One firefighter was sent to a hospital for treatment of heat exhaustion.

"The blaze was reported at 1:58 p.m. at Pacific R.V. Body & Paint, which does maintenance and repair work on motor homes, recreational vehicles and the like," Capt. Thanh Nguyen of the Garden Grove Fire Department said.

50 firefighters were on scene of the 13700 Harbor Blvd. business, near Westminster Avenue.

An Orange County Fire Authority hazmat team summoned because of leaking gasoline from a ruptured tank, Nguyen said.

Firefighters dealt with temperatures over 100 degrees and two burning motor homes at the R.V. paint and body shop.

The heat from the fire caused the flames to spread to two additional motor homes, according to Nguyen.

"Firefighters made an attack on the fire to prevent its extension into additional vehicles and structures," Nguyen said.

Nothing exploded during the event and the fire was knocked down in just over an hour, Nguyen said.

The cause was under investigation.

A hazmat crew from the Orange County Health Care Agency also responded to the scene to help coordinate the clean-up, he said. Crews from the Anaheim and Orange fire departments also lent assistance.

An update on the stricken firefighter's condition stated that he was released last night and is doing okay.

Garden Grove Fire Department photo