Small fire at Paloma Valley High under investigation

Firefighters stand outside a Paloma Valley High School restroom, where a small fire was reported Friday afternoon. Photo by Caleb Hayes

Police and fire officials are investigating the cause of a small fire in a restroom at Paloma Valley High School this afternoon, authorities said.

The fire was reported about 1:30 p.m., according to Riverside County Fire Department records. A spokesperson said the fire was confined to a trash can in a restroom on campus and that students were safe.

Candace Reines, assistant superintendent for the Perris Union High School District, said students were evacuated to the football field until an all-clear was given, when they returned to their classrooms. It is unclear how long the students were outside, where the temperature was near or above 100 degrees.

At least one student was treated for heat-related symptoms after being outside in the heat, Reines said. No injuries directly related to the fire were reported.

There was some confusion on social media when individuals began reporting a fire at Heritage High School across town. Reines said that was a false alarm from a malfunctioning sensor that caused a fire alarm to sound at Heritage. There was no apparent connection to the incident at Paloma Valley.

Along with a fire engine, emergency medical personnel arrived, reportedly to treat at least one student suffering from heat-related symptoms. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon