2 Firefighters Injured Battling Multiple House Fire Blaze, 9 Displaced in RivCo

MORENO VALLEY, CA — A two-alarm fire broke out Thursday in a possibly abandoned residential lot on the west end of Moreno Valley, damaging four structures, injuring two firefighters, and bringing down power lines, prompting a road closure.

The blaze was reported shortly after 5 p.m. in the area of Edgemont Street and Cottonwood Avenue, less than a quarter mile east of Interstate 215, according to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. Smoke from the blaze could be seen by miles of rush-hour travelers in the area.

Multiple engine crews from the county, the Riverside Fire Department, and the Hemet Fire Department battled the massive blaze as flames raged around one structure and spread to three other buildings.

Crews established hose lays and fully contained the fire just after 6 p.m. and remained at the scene until almost 11 p.m. for heavy salvage and overhaul.

In total, four buildings were burned in the incident, two of which were damaged, while the other two were destroyed in the blaze," Cal Fire/Riverside County spokesperson Alex Izaguirre told Patch.

"Nine people were displaced , and the Red Cross was called to the scene to assist them," he said. "Two firefighters suffered moderate injuries and were transported by ambulance for evaluation."

Power lines collapsed at the location, falling onto the roadway, leading sheriff's deputies to shut down Edgemont Street for public safety.

One of the injured firefighters, a fire captain, suffered smoke exposure and was taken to nearby Riverside University Medical Center for treatment. He was in stable condition, according to reports from the scene.