Homeless man removed safe from flood control channel

Firefighters stand outside the opening to a tunnel under Holland Road where a homeless man was discovered. Photo by Amberlyn Russell

Fire and police units were joined by swift water rescue and HAZMAT squads Tuesday at a flood control channel from which an apparently homeless man was removed, authorities said.

Firefighters responded shortly after 10 a.m. to the call of smoke rising from under the Holland Road bridge over the wash on the west border of Haun Road. First responders descended into the wash, which had only a small amount of flowing water, to discover smoke coming from under the bridge and voices from the darkness beyond an iron fence, which had been pried open, said Geoff Pemberton, Riverside County Fire Division Chief.

Because the rescue site was a "confined space", as defined by Fire Department protocol, efforts were delayed while a HAZMAT team and other rescue units were brought in, said Josh Bischof, Menifee Battalion Chief. This is for the protection of all involved because of the possibility of hazardous fumes and other unknown factors, he said.

Once all units were in place, rescuers entered the tunnel and removed an adult male, Bischof said. He was not injured and was arrested for trespassing, according to Sheriff's Deputy Robyn Flores.

Only one person was discovered inside the space, although there is evidence that others stay there. According to Pemberton, rescuers discovered an elaborate set-up with structures to create separate rooms and living spaces for homeless individuals. He said a similar structure has been removed by City of Menifee code enforcement teams before, but it had been rebuilt.

An iron fence is designed to keep intruders out, but has been broken through before, Pemberton said. He said the smoke had come from some sort of cooking or heating source in the tunnel.

Units were on scene until about 12:30 p.m. The site is just south of Santa Rosa Academy but had no impact on traffic for after-school pick-ups. Westbound Holland Road was closed briefly at Haun Road to make room for rescue units.

Firefighters and rescue units gather above the flood control channel during the incident. Menifee 24/7 photo: Kristen Spoon

A fire engine is stationed outside the wash, where a small amount of water and a large amount of trash is visible. Menifee 24/7 photo: Kristen Spoon