Motorhome Destroyed by Fire

A motorhome was destroyed by fire in Murrieta Monday night.

The fire was reported at 5:27 p.m. at a storage lot on Antelope Road and Joan Dunn Lane, according to Murrieta fire Capt. Forest Hansen.

The lot is just north of Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta, to the east of Interstate 215.

When fire crews arrived within five minutes, they found the motorhome fully involved, said Fire Chief Matt Shobert, who was also on scene.

The owner of the motorhome, who said his name was Paul but declined to give his last name, said he and some friends arrived at the yard to prepare the motorhome for a Thanksgiving trip to the desert.

He said the fire started when they attempted to start the generator on the 1985 Pace Arrow. They immediately tried to put the flames out with an extinguisher and a hose before calling 911, he said.

Shobert said the weather conditions were favorable, and that the fire could have spread to vegetation if it were any different.

Three Murrieta fire engines responded to the fire after dispatchers got several other 911 calls from passers-by, according to Hansen.

A Cal Fire/Riverside County fire crew stationed in nearby Menifee also helped put out the blaze.

"It took us 15 minutes to get it knocked out and under control," Hansen said.

"At this time the cause is still under investigation but it is looking like it is consisent with mechanical problems."

No one was injured in the fire.

While the owner said he's used the motorhome for three to four years to take trips for dirt-bike riding, he said he may likely "never sleep in one again."