DRUGS FOUND IN MORONGO VALLEY STRUCTURE FIRE

Morongo Valley firefighters joined the California Highway Patrol in passing out toys to children in Morongo Valley last night. But firefighters had to leave suddenly when they were called to a structure fire about 7:15 p.m. in the 52700 block of North Ridge Road. Morongo Valley Fire Captain Jeff Rarey said firefighters could see heavy flames from one to two miles away, and arrived to find a detached garage fully involved. Neighbors at the scene thought that people might be inside the home, so Rarey and another firefighter entered the home looking for occupants, but found no one. The blaze had spread into the attic of the home, but firefighters from Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Yucca Mesa, and multiple Cal Fire units were able to put it out and save the residence; however, the garage was a total loss. While searching the home for occupants, firefighters saw evidence of illegal drugs, and believing there was a meth lab inside, called for a hazardous materials team from the Combat Center to investigate, but no evidence of a drug lab was found. An arson investigator was unable to determine the cause of the fire in the garage.