Faulty Power Line Ignites Tree Fire in Murrieta

A 12,000-volt power line had to be cut in Murrieta as an electrical fire smoldered in a grove of trees.

A passer-by called 911 when they noticed the flames just before midnight Friday at 26465 Washington Avenue. responded but could not initially use water to extinguish the fire because of the risk of electrocution.

Crews monitored the fire's progress until Southern California Edison arrived within an hour to take down the damaged power line.

Firefighters were then able to access the fire area around 1:30 a.m. to ensure all flames were extinguished.

The line serviced an agricultural well in the sparsely populated area. SCE crews had performed maintenance on the power line earlier in the day.

SCE could not immediately be reached for comment.

Daniel Lane contributed to this report.