Firefighters quickly extinguished an early morning blaze at the Ramona Motel on Friday after initial reports suggested a possible explosion.
Hemet Fire Department crews were dispatched to the motel, located in the 1100 block of East Florida Avenue, at 5:15 a.m. First responders targeted Room 16, where the fire reportedly originated. Hemet Police Department officers were also requested to the scene to assist with evacuating the surrounding units.
According to the responding Battalion Chief, the involved unit was unoccupied at the time of the incident, and crews successfully contained the flames to that single room. Firefighters performed roof operations to ventilate the structure and prevent further spread.
The fire was officially reported as knocked down at approximately 5:32 a.m., less than 20 minutes after crews were dispatched.
Westbound lanes of East Florida Avenue were temporarily shut down while emergency personnel operated at the scene.
Hemet Fire investigators remain on the scene to determine the official cause of the fire and to investigate the initial reports of an explosion. No further details have been released at this time.
