Arson not being ruled out in El Centro fires

One firefighter suffered minor injuries in El Centro fires - News 11's Wiley Jawhary reports

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The El Centro Fire Department (ECFD) says the three fires in El Centro are suspicious in nature.

The ECFD says they responded to calls of a fire around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they said they noticed three separate fires all in the same area.

ECFD also mentions arson is not being ruled out and the cause of the three fires is being investigated.

Matthew Ryckman is the deputy safety information officer with ECFD who notes one of his firefighters had to be taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center.

"We did have one firefighter who suffered a non-life-threatening injury, his condition is unknown but it is assumed that he is stable," he explained.

Ryckman said the fires required nine engines including support from the Imperial County Fire Department. To make matters worse, Ryckman said water was out of reach for his fire crew.

"This is an abandoned structure and in an innate town where we do have a water supply issue, so the initial attack was slightly delayed as far as getting water supply," he said.

News 11's Wiley Jawhary will have more on the Evening Edition at 6 p.m.