'Iconic' Building Destroyed in Trabuco Canyon Blaze

A building at an airport for remote- controlled aircraft in Trabuco Canyon near Rancho Santa Margarita was destroyed today and a caretaker suffered minor burns as 30 Orange County Fire Authority firefighters worked struggled to keep flames from spreading to surrounding brush, authorities said.

The fire at the Trabuco Flyers facility at 32231 Trabuco Creek Road was reported at 11 p.m. Sunday, said OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi. Firefighters had the flames out at 1:15 a.m.

The building was fully involved in flames when firefighters arrived, Concialdi said. They went into a defensive mode, fighting the fire from the exterior, to try to keep the flames from spreading to vegetation around the building and there was only a slight expansion.

“There were no fire hydrants in the area,” Concialdi said. Firefighters had to send a water tender to the nearest hydrant to fill up and return to the fire.

“It’s sad. It (the building) has been out there for so long. It will be a total loss,” Concialdi said. It was not immediately clear how old the building was, but Concialdi called it “iconic.”

A caretaker who lives on the property was taken to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo for treatment of minor burns, Concialdi said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, he said.

A group called The Trabuco Flyers has operated the airfield since 1990, according to its website. An official with the group was not available for comment

City News Service; Photo: Orange County Fire Authority