APPLE VALLEY-(VVNG.com): Just after 1:50 p.m. on Saturday, September 5th, dispatch received a report of a fire in the area of Highway 18 and Bass Hill Road. The reporting party indicated that there was smoke showing in the area of the historic Hilltop House in Apple Valley.
Per scanner traffic, deputies were the first to arrive on scene and unlocked the gate to make access to the home located on the hill behind the Walmart on Highway 18.
The Apple Valley Fire Protection District and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department arrived on scene to find that the fire was burning rubbish in the pool of the abandoned home. The fire was contained within 20 minutes of arrival with no spread to the structure or nearby vegetation.
The original homeowner, self-made millionaire Newton T. Bass built the home with the help of a famous Mexican architect in the early 50’s. The home that sits on an approximately 20 acre property was rebuilt after a 1967 fire.
The home now is frequented by those trespassing, some just to view this historical property, some believing it is haunted and others vandalizing it or conducting illegal activities within the property.
At this time the exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
