Blaze on south side of Riverside threatens homes

A grass fire that erupted Sunday on the south end of Riverside scorched around five acres, threatening homes and other structures, before crews began making progress containing it.

The non-injury Hawarden Fire erupted shortly before 2 p.m. in the area of Hawarden Drive and Mary Street, within the Alessandro Heights neighborhood, according to the Riverside Fire Department.

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Battalion Chief Brian Guzetta told City News Service that multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames moving at a moderate rate in light brush.

A Cal Fire water-dropping helicopter was immediately summoned and initiated runs on the brusher, relying on a pond at the nearby Canyon Crest Golf Club to retrieve water.

Firefighters were strengthening containment lines as of 2:50 p.m., Guzetta said, reporting "good progress" encircling the fire.

No property damage was reported, and no evacuation orders were issued.

The cause of the fire wasn't immediately known.

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