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    1. Community Risk
    2. Community Risk Reduction

    Fireworks Sparked Riverside, CA, Fire that Destroyed Six Houses

    July 23, 2024
    The Hawarden fire has spread to more than 500 acres and is still burning out of control, Riverside Deputy Fire Chief Steve McKinster said.

    A brush fire that destroyed at least six homes and damaged seven others  in a Riverside neighborhood was sparked by fireworks.

    "The topography of the area allowed for rapid fire spread, so getting resources in the area fast enough proved challenging because the fire was moving faster than we could catch up initially," said Riverside Deputy Fire Chief Steve McKinster told KABC.

    Video captured suspects fleeing after the fireworks ignited the fire.

    Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said the suspects will be idenfied and proscecuted.

    There's been $10 million worth of damage to homes while more than $1 million has been spent on resources used to battle the blaze.

    About the Author

    Susan Nicol | News Editor

    Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

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