Fire Destroys Home in Grand Terrace

Fire struck Grand Terrace this week. At 8:55 a.m. on Dec. 14, firefighters from San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to a residential fire with a possible rescue on the 22600 block of Thrush Street in Grand Terrace. Upon arrival, San Bernardino County Fire officials found a one story home with fire and heavy black smoke coming out of the front and rear on the home. Both residents, one in a wheel chair, exited the home as firefighters arrived to battle the blaze. One of the residents became aware of the fire when smoke began to come into his bedroom from under his closed door. Upon arrival, firefighters began an aggressive attack on the fire, which appeared to originate in the family room, while other firefighters cut holes in the roof over the fire to allow smoke and heat to escape. Three paramedic fire engines, one paramedic truck, one paramedic squad, one investigator and one battalion chief, totaling 16 fire personnel where assigned to the incident. Firefighters from Colton Fire Department and Cal Fire Riverside provided mutual aid. As a result of the fire, three small dogs and one cat were killed, while no injuries to the residents or fire personnel was reported. The house sustained $150,000 in structural damage and approximately $50,000 in contents loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the San Bernardino County Fire Department Office of the Fire Marshall. The San Bernardino County Fire Department would like to remind residents to: • Check any electrically-lighted decorations to make sure they operate safely • Check for burned-out lights, empty sockets and broken bulbs • Inspect wires carefully for breaks, fraying and damaged connections before turning on decorations • Throw away any damaged strands of lights A gift card donation has been set up to help with immediate needs for the residents directly effected by the home fire, including two 13-year-old boys and a 9-year-old girl. Please contact Ruben Morales at (909) 322-0035 for more information on how to help the family.