Backyard Chicken Coop, Dumpster Fire Spark Overnight In Banning

BANNING, CA — Two fires sparked on Wednesday night in Banning, both under unknown circumstances, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department officials.

At 10:45 p.m., firefighters rushed to the backyard of a home at East Hoffer Street and Almond Way, where a backyard chicken coop was burning. That blaze was quelled, and the coop was empty, according to reports from the scene.

About 15 minutes later, firefighters received another call, this time to the back of the Cardenas Market at 3317 West Ramsey Street. There, a dumpster ignited for as of yet undetermined reasons. It was not immediately known if the smoke affected the business, which was closed at the time of that blaze.

Both fires were quickly extinguished, and no people or chickens were harmed during either incident, said Capt. John Clingingsmith.

The grocery store is just over three miles from the home where the chicken coop burned, both in the city of Banning.

It was not immediately known if the fires were linked. Both are under investigation by fire prevention officers, Patch has learned.

No other information was immediately available.