Fire destroys two homes in Thousand Palms, two people hospitalized

Two houses and several cars were destroyed after a fire broke out in Thousand Palms Monday afternoon.

The fire was reported at around 6:15 p.m. on Black Eagle Drive. Neighbors stood outside watching crews put out the flames in disbelief.

"It was just a nice evening and I happened to step out the back door," said Sunnie Musser. She lives across the street from the houses that were burned. "I assumed somebody was starting up their barbecue pit, but then I saw a flame go up, and that's when I knew that it was bigger than that.”

Musser says once the flames broke out, she made sure her family was aware of the danger.

"I just started yelling at the my family inside. And the next thing I know, they're trying to get hoses to try to put it out themselves," said Musser. "They grabbed the baby, moved one of the cars, they were really on it in an instant.”

Musser also says several neighbors came out to help, including one boy named Junior, who rushed to the homes to alert the residents. Musser says Junior saved a disabled woman who lived in one of the homes.

"I saw my daughter and all the men in the neighborhood banging on her windows and her doors because she's handicap to get her out of the house," explained Musser. "And it was a magical thing to see the community come all together, these young men helping her. I just told them bring her over here to my house. She was in her walker and now she's safe because of their actions.”

Although the woman is now safe, several people were injured. According to CalFire, three people were injured, two of them taken to the hospital for minor burns and smoke inhalation. Two residents were displaced. One patient with minor injuries declined further treatment.

A gas line and telephone pole that caught fire stayed lit for several hours after the house fires were put out. Crews are expected to remain on scene until morning to mop up. IID and SoCal Gas also remained on scene well into the night. The entire job was a major joint effort.

"We had a total of 13 fire engines, one ladder truck, three chief officers, and one of those fire engines came from the city of Cathedral City on mutual aid," said Matthew Kots, the Fire Battalion Chief for CalFire Riverside County.

Some residents on Black Eagle Drive were evacuated, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office and CalFire confirmed.

"We want to make sure the fires out in so the community can be rest assured that they'll be safe this evening," said Kots. Kots also said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Viewer video shows heavy smoke coming from the family section of Tri Palm Estates, a mobile home park in Thousand Palms.

Additional video from the scene shows a building destroyed by the fire as well as a power pole sparking.

Eight mobile homes are experiencing power outages due to an effected power pole, CAL FIRE confirmed.

CAL FIRE, Riverside County Sheriff's Office, SoCalGas, and SCE are on scene.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates. We'll have the latest tonight at 10 and 11 PM.

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