A Murrieta-area family whose son has cerebral palsy rushed from their home Thursday as the so-called Volcano Fire engulfed hundreds of acres around them. Riverside County residents were recovering Thursday from the destructive brush fire that investigators believe started when a county worker was doing routine brush clearing Wednesday morning. Jacob Rascon reports from La Cresta near Murrieta for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on August 2, 2012.
Fire crews on Thursday continued to battle a blaze in the Murrieta area that started Wednesday morning and consumed nearly 400 acres and one large home.
The fire remained 75 percent contained Thursay night, more than 32 hours after it was sparked by what fire investigators believe was a county landscaping crew clearing roadside brush in an effort to prevent this scenario.
Investigators say a lawnmower likely struck a metal object, igniting the blaze.
Officials on Thursday afternoon expected the so-called Volcano Fire to be fully contained by the evening, but as of 7 p.m. said they would reevaluate their containment and control estimates Friday, according to the Riverside County Fire Department website
Crews extinguished a 5-acre flare up on Thursday, bringing the acreage total to 355, according to the website. All roads in the area are open.
At 2:30 p.m., fire officials released this update: "An island of unburned vegetation is being extinguished by resources on scene. Smoke will be visible from residents and motorists."
The blaze singled out homeowner Rick Snyder, who says his family “will be fine” after they lost their home Wednesday.
"We’ll have new parties and new boats,” he said.
Thirty-nine engine crews, with a total of 327 firefighters on Wednesday battled the brush fire, which began at about 11:30 a.m. It grew to engulf hundreds of acres by 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Three firefighters received minor injuries Wednesday. One was transported by paramedics and the other was treated at the scene, officials said.
No injuries were reported Thursday, officials said.
