Riverside, Calif., March, 2002 -- Riverside Fire Department officers trained rookie firefighters in not only knocking down a fire, but use of firefighting equipment, aspects of investigation including explosives and arson detection, the use of bloodhounds in tracking suspects, and safety procedures. During March 9-11, the Fire Department set many small fires for trainees before finally burning the structures to the ground. It was sobering to watch how quickly a small blaze in a bedroom could spread to the attic, roof, and exterior siding: a matter of five minutes!

The houses and structures burned were those in the triangle formerly occupied by Dale's Trailer Park, between Collett and Ravenna, on Pierce. The property owners donated the houses to be burned, and the land is currently in escrow. La Sierra University, upon completion of escrow, will be adding the parcel to the area destined for multi-family housing.

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by Christy Robinson