Eastvale – By Shaunda Goegebuer – On December 13, 2013, shortly before 7:30 AM, a home in the 14000 block of Vernal Springs Court, in the City of Eastvale erupted into flames. Five engines, including a hook-and-ladder, as well as other fire personnel and numerous Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the blaze. Employees of Southern California Edison were also on scene.

Firefighters tackle a fire Friday in Eastvale (B Walsh)

As neighbors and other onlookers watched, the fire fighters systematically worked to extinguish the fully involved structure. The fire appeared to have initiated in the area of the garage, where two vehicles were located. Reportedly no one was home at the time of the fire.

A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, reported he had noticed suspicious activity at the home recently. He had reported to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office that the Southern California Edison tamper tag, installed on residential electrical panels, was missing, the upstairs windows of the home were typically open, and the resident’s had sporadic patterns of coming and going. Given the increase in local marijuana grow houses, the neighbor was suspicious of these activities. He spoke with a detective but never heard back from the Sheriff’s office about their findings. He indicated he called 911 about the fire when he saw smoke emanating from the electrical panel. It took over an hour to extinguish the fire. The vehicles in the garage were destroyed and the home appeared to be a total loss.

Sheriff’s investigators got a search warrant and seized 645 plants. Upon further discovery, they confirmed that electricity was being bypassed illegally around the meter, which may have been a big cause of the fire.