BRAWLEY — A structure fire in the 600 block of E Street marked the third fire in less than a week for this city’s downtown area.
The fire was initially reported to the Brawley Police Department communication center at around 12:42 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to a press release by the Police Department.
As fire and police personnel arrived to the building at 620 E St., they soon discovered the structure to be fully engulfed in flames and signaled a second alarm for additional fire assistance, explained Brawley fire Capt.
Jesse Zendejas.
El Centro, Westmorland, Calipatria and Imperial County fire departments all responded to the scene to help battle the blaze.
After about two hours, firefighters were able to control the flames and spend an additional two hours moderating the area.
The city’s Public Works Department was also contacted to take down the building’s walls to ensure they did not collapse toward the area’s sidewalk and street, Zendejas said.
No injuries were reported during this incident and the cause of the fire is still unknown, explained Brawley police Cmdr. Brett Houser.
The fire comes just a day after a similar structure fire took place behind El Rincon Mexicano restaurant and nearly a week after a transient’s tent caught fire near the same location, Zendejas explained.
“There have been three (fires) in one week, in the same block,” Zendejas said.
Although both the restaurant fire and Wednesday’s fire are being investigated as possible arson, Houser stipulated that both incidents are being handled as separate cases at the moment.
Anyone with information regarding the fires is being asked to contact the Brawley Police Department Investigation Division at 760-344-2111.
Staff Writer Celeste Alvarez can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at calvarez@ivpressonline.com
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