Fourth-alarm fire burns vacant home

No injuries were reported in a fourth alarm fire that burned a vacant home in the 800 block of Brighton Avenue Tuesday night.

The fire was called in to El Centro Fire Department at 11:27 p.m., according to a press release issued Wednesday morning. The first-in ECFD unit reportedly arrived at the scene three minutes later. Once there, they found a single-story residential structure showing heavy smoke and flames.

“Firefighters initiated an aggressive coordinated interior fire attack, keeping the fire confined and preventing the spread of the fire into adjacent homes,” the release said. “Due to the complexity of the firefight, it took firefighters 60 minutes from the time of arrival of the first fire suppression unit to control the fire.”

A total of three ECFD engine companies were assigned to the blaze. In addition, the department received assistance from Yuma Fire Department, Imperial Fire Department, Rural Metro (Yuma) Fire Department, Calipatria Fire Department, Imperial County Fire Department and Naval Air Facility El Centro Fire.

Firefighters remained on scene for more than three hours, the release said. the final ECFD unit didn’t leave until 2:33 a.m.

“Everyone worked well together tonight,” interim ECFD Fire Chief Cedric Ceseña said. “We are thankful for everyone’s help. Our dispatch center play a key role in mitigating this incident. They searched for resources to help bring this incident to a close.”

ECFD said the fire remains under investigation. Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to call (760) 337-4530.

Instructions for Christmas tree disposal announced

The city of El Centro announced that CR&R Environmental Services will haul away Christmas trees for city residents on their scheduled trash collection day for the month of January.

Residents are instructed to place their bare (undecorated) tree on their curbside for removal.

For more information, contact CR&R at (800) 826-9677 or (877) 482-5656.