Spring Valley Lake House catches fire after car crashes into it; firefighter injured

SPRING VALLEY LAKE, Victorville Calif. (VVNG.com) — A car crashed into a house and both became fully involved in flames Sunday morning.

Just after 10 am, witnesses reported a vehicle possibly struck a gas line and caused a house to catch fire in the 13300 block of Riverview Drive. The flames described as a fireball sent a large column of smoke billowing into the windy skies.

Captain, Public Information Officer Jeremy Kern said Medic engine 22 arrived in 5 minutes and reported a well involved single story structure with the surrounding homes immediately threatened. “Due to the wind conditions, fire involvement and potential for spread a second alarm was requested,” stated Kern.

Crews deployed lines to protect the nearby structures and limit any spread of fire. High winds in the area complicated suppression efforts and presented additional challenges with exposures and fire spread.

Fire crews had the fire knocked down in 30 minutes. One firefighter was transported by AMR ambulance for minor injuries.

Scott Cotton was inside the home when the car crashed into the garage. He described hearing the sound of metal crunching, glass breaking, and a strange zapping type sound.

“I looked up and saw the fire and knew I had to get out. After I ran outside I saw the driver of the car was still inside the car, so I went over to try and help him get out,” stated Scott.

Scott said he was unable to open the door and seconds later there was a small explosion that sent him down to the ground. “When I got back up he had somehow managed to get himself out.”

Witnesses said the driver managed to crawl through a window and had a bloody face along with burns to his arms. He was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The girlfriend of the 28-year-old male driver arrived at the scene of the crash and said they live together, less than a mile away in Spring Valley Lake.

She said her boyfriend borrowed her BMW to drive to the store just up the street and when he took longer than expected she knew something was wrong.

“I’m not really sure what happened. All he’s told me is he just blacked out and don’t remember anything after that,” she said.

A total of seven engines, two truck companies, four chief officers, one heavy rescue and one investigator totaling 35 personnel from County Fire were assigned to the incident. Apple Valley Fire District assisted with one truck.

The official cause of the crash is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

A Gofundme to help the family who lost their home and cars in the fire is accepting donations via the following link: Family loses everything in fire

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UPDATE FEB 11, 2019 — Through investigation, CHP officers determined the 2014 BMW was traveling west on Riverview Drive, approaching Driftwood Drive. 

According to a CHP news release, For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the BMW allowed his vehicle to leave the north roadway edge, over a raised concrete curb, and collide with a Chevrolet Corvette that was parked in the driveway. The BMW continued in a northerly direction where it collided with a Toyota Tacoma and a Chevrolet Silverado that were also parked at the residence. This collision caused the BMW and Toyota to catch fire.  A total of four vehicles received damage, two of which were completely burned. 

Alcohol or drugs are not believed to be a factor in this collision.

This investigation will be handled to its conclusion by the CHP Victorville Area.  Anyone who witnessed or has information regarding this traffic collision is encouraged to contact the CHP Victorville Area office at (760) 241-1186.