Illegal fireworks sparked a roaring wildfire in Southern California that has destroyed homes and caused millions of dollars in damage, authorities in Riverside said.
The Hawarden Fire was started Sunday by people who were “indulging in a few minutes of reckless fun,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said at a news briefing Monday.
The blaze was estimated at 527 acres Monday night, Riverside officials said.
The fire had destroyed six homes and damaged seven others, resulting in $10 million in repair costs, and it rang up another $1 million in response costs from first responders, who were put in “imminent danger,” Lock Dawson said.
A firefighter and a civilian sustained minor injuries, the city said.
Authorities are searching for people seen on video fleeing the scene, and they have identified a vehicle of interest, Lock Dawson said.
She promised that suspects will be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“This kind of reckless behavior is unacceptable and will take every measure to prevent such incidents in the future. Our investigators will continue relentlessly until we are assured that the suspects have been caught,” Lock Dawson said.
She continued: “This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of why fireworks are illegal in our community. We live in an area with dry brush, varied terrain and high temperatures, making it ideal for such disasters. Fireworks are illegal because they pose a severe fire hazard and do cause injuries and create unnecessary risks for our community and first responders.”
Residents where the fire broke out in the south Riverside neighborhood were evacuated. Some have returned home after evacuation orders were lifted, NBC Los Angeles reported.
For some residents, including the Doan family, the blaze came too close to comfort until firefighters stepped in.
“This is where my children grew up. They were born here, and all of our memories and history [are] here,” Vien Doan, a 30-year resident of Riverside, told the station.
He added he feared that his property may not have survived the fire.
Neighbors were urged to stay indoors because of the poor air quality Monday as smoldering hot spots continued to concern residents, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Lock Dawson said Monday there has been an emotional toll on the community.
“Families have lost their homes, cherished memories and personal belongings,” she said. “The damage extends beyond property, impacting the emotional and mental well-being of the affected residents and the community at large, and with that said, we have zero tolerance for actions that put our community at risk and in danger.”