Late-night fire in Sun City apartment complex displaces six

A charred Halloween pumpkin sits on a ledge outside one of the burned units in a Sun City apartment complex. Staff photos by Doug Spoon

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Neighbors and other concerned residents gathered this morning outside an apartment complex where five units burned in a late-night fire in the Sun City community on Tuesday.

The fire was reported about 10 p.m. in a row of single-story units on the southeast corner of Cherry Hills Boulevard and Sun City Boulevard, across the street from the Sun City Civic Association complex. Six residents were displaced by the fire but only one person was injured, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Neighbors in an adjacent row of apartments on Cherry Hills Boulevard said passersby and others who noticed the fire broke windows to enter the units and rescue the residents – one of whom is a bed-ridden woman.

“We saw the fire department come down, and I looked out and ran outside,” said Karen Boan, who lives in an adjacent apartment. “I just saw sparks flying.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to fire officials. Crews were repairing damaged power lines and a transformer in the alley behind the units this morning.

“Our first responders came pounding on my door to get me out,” said Michele Lynch. “I didn’t know anything until these girls (her neighbors) came and woke me up.”

Five units were red-tagged by fire officials. Although the exterior of the units is still standing, the interior was gutted by fire and most of the roof is gone. The fire was contained at 11:05 p.m.

One resident was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries, fire officials said. Red Cross representatives were on scene Tuesday night to offer assistance. Boan said some of those misplaced are staying with neighbors.

Lynch, who works at the nearby Sun City Gardens retirement center, stood outside the scene this morning with other neighbors and Edoardo Estrada, another administrator at Sun City Gardens. Estrada said his facility has offered housing and assistance to any of those misplaced.

“Sun City Gardens is here to help in any way we can,” Lynch said.

Anyone wishing to offer assistance or donate items may message Menifee 24/7 on our Facebook page or email info@menifee247.com. We are checking on how you may help.

Flames rage high above the apartment complex on Cherry Hills Boulevard Tuesday night.

Photo by Zagia Perez