On April 24, the Escondido Police & Fire Communication Center received a report of a possible fire in the pool room structure at the River Walk Apartments located on Morning View Drive. The first arriving Fire Captain quickly determined that the fire was actually located in the Reidy Creek vegetation behind the apartment complex. The fire appeared to originate from a homeless encampment and was extinguished with several minutes. Firefighters remained on scene for another hour to thoroughly mop up the involved.
On April 25, the Escondido Police & Fire Communication Center received a report of a vegetation fire on Centre City Parkway, underneath the Highway 78 overpass. The path of the fire rose from the shoulder of Centre City Parkway up the 25 embankment to 78 freeway. Prior to firefighter’s arrival, several people had stopped and used fire extinguishers to contain the fire. The remaining grass fire was extinguished and mopped up by firefighters. Escondido Police, who arrived on scene first, detained a possible arson suspect. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
On April 26, the Escondido Police & Fire Communication Center received a report of a structure fire on Cheyenne Lane. Four engines, one ladder truck, one rescue ambulance and one Battalion Chief responded. The first arriving Engine Captain reported a working fire to the rear of the residence. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the fire had originated in the backyard and had burned into the home. Firefighters extinguished the fire, both inside and outside of the residence. The bedroom and the external side of the home sustained moderate damage. One adult male was transported by ground ambulance to UCSD Medical Center with burns to his hands and face. SDG&E responded to assist with securing gas and electric utilities. The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation.
On April 30, the crew from Fire Station #5 (Felicita) were recognized by the Escondido American Legion for their lifesaving efforts during a medical incident that took place in December 2021. In the early morning hours of December 26, 2021, a local resident was experiencing severe chest pain and called 911. Captain John Fryday, Engineer Michael Mellon, Firefighters Eric Roberts and Christopher Newby and EMT Juan Ramirez arrived at the residence and quickly diagnosed that the patient was suffering from a massive heart attack. The team treated the patient with medications at his home and then transported him to Palomar Medical Center where patient received a coronary artery stint. The patient made a full recovery and attended the awards ceremony to honor and thank the crew.
