On May 10, at 1:57 pm, the Vista Fire Department (VFD) was dispatched to a reported mobile home fire located at the Vista Manor Mobile Home Park, 200 Olive Ave., in the City of Vista.
Vista is Southern California City and district area made up of 40 square miles of canyons, rural, city and industrial parks. The population is 100,000 people and the fire protection is provided by the City of Vista Fire Department. The VFD is made up of 71 career firefighters and staff with 4 stations. VFD provides EMS.
Fire and heavy rescue service along with fire investigation and fire prevention services.
The 1st alarm fire response dispatched Battalion 1204 Chief Terich along with Truck 1271, Engine 1211, 1212, 1213, Medic 1291 and medic 1293. The first Alarm assignment was filled out with Department Chief 1201, 1202, 1205, 1206 and FPB 1241.
The area is in a dense and older section of the city with narrow limited access and a low volume fire protection water supply. Rancho Fire Dispatch indicated numerous 911 calls reporting a working structure fire.
Battalion Chief Terich observed a header as he left fire headquarters and reported a working fire. This mobile home park is located high on a hill adjacent to the transit center and older downtown area, causing the smoke and fire to be visible from a distance.
The first in engine, 1211, was unable to locate a water supply source ( the older mobile home parks were constructed with limited "warf head" style fire hydrants) and faced numerous close exposure problems with adjacent mobile homes.
In addition, panicking residents were attempting to move their cars out of the park causing a traffic problem for incoming fire equipment.
As engine 1211 laid out the first pre-connected attack line with tank water to protect exposures and control the fire, Battalion Chief Terich found the homeowner and confirmed that everyone was out of the fully involved mobile home. Incoming fire equipment were quickly assigned to exposure groups, water supply and assisting the first in engine with extinguishment and overhaul of the now collapsing structure.
The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes and there was minimal damage to the adjacent mobile homes.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Vista Fire Prevention Bureau.
The structure was a total loss and the local American Red Cross was on scene to assist the occupant with shelter and supplies lost to the fire.
