A significant fire broke out early Thursday morning at a warehouse in Riverside County, prompting a large-scale response from local fire departments. The blaze, which started at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Meridian Parkway in an unincorporated area of Riverside, was quickly identified as involving hazardous materials, specifically small lithium-ion batteries used in hand-held power tools.
The Riverside County Fire Department dispatched a hazardous-materials team to the scene, supported by personnel from both the Riverside City Fire Department and the Corona Fire Department. As flames continued to rage, crews worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire and determine the full extent of the materials burning inside the building.
By 6:30 a.m., the situation had escalated, leading to the request for a fourth alarm to send additional firefighters. To further ensure public safety, county environmental health officials were deployed to monitor the smoke and assess air quality in the surrounding area.
Due to the ongoing nature of the fire, Meridian Parkway was closed between Alessandro Boulevard and Cactus Avenue, as firefighters continued their efforts to contain the blaze. Fire crews were expected to remain at the scene for several more hours.
As of now, no injuries have been reported, but authorities remain on high alert as the investigation into the cause of the fire continues.