Fire destroys four mobile homes in North Palm Springs

A fire tore through a North Palm Springs mobile home park Thursday afternoon, destroying four homes and damaging three others, fire officials said.

The fire was reported at 3:54 p.m. at the Indian Canyon Mobile Home Park located on the 17-000 block of North Indian Canyon Drive, across from the Windmill Market and near Desert Hot Springs.

"Due to the high winds, the fire spread pretty quickly. These homes put out a ton of heat and flame," Cal Fire Capt. Thomas Shoots said.

By about 5 p.m., the flames were out and firefighters were hosing down the charred remains. Shoots said all of the homes that were damaged were vacant, and no one will be displaced. The fire began in one unit and spread to the others, he said.

Daniel Gonzales’ trailer was spared by the fire, but several of those across from him were not.

He said he was was not home when the fire began but dashed back after receiving a call from his neighbor. He said he immediately grabbed a hose and began spraying his trailer as the flames grew close.

“There was so much smoke, I couldn’t even see my house,” he said.

Gonzales said he was thankful his house, and the many priceless memorabilia items inside from his time working with the singer Michael Jackson, were spared.

Gonzales said he was thankful to both the firefighters and the many neighbors who sprang into action with their hoses.

“Everyone was running around with their hoses and everyone was helping everyone,” he said. “We hardly know each other but we all came together.”

Shoots said one firefighter sustained a minor injury, and Gonzales said he saw them taken away on a gurney.

The Palm Springs and Cathedral City fire departments assisted Cal Fire in the effort due to heavy wind, Cal Fire said. Shoots said firefighters expected to remain on the scene until about 8:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Fire destroys four mobile homes in North Palm Springs