Homeless encampment fire in El Centro quickly contained; no injuries reported

On Thursday morning, February 25, El Centro firefighters responded to reports of a homeless encampment fire near the Union Pacific Railroad tracks between Heil and Hamilton Avenues. No injuries were reported, according to the El Centro Fire Department.

According to a press release, the incident was reported around 10:30 AM. Fortunately, fire crews quickly arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire before it could spread further.

During the incident, an Imperial Irrigation District (IID) power pole also caught fire. However, thanks to the firefighters’ rapid response, the situation was controlled before it could cause any power outages for nearby residents.

City officials have notified Union Pacific Railroad of the fire and reiterated concerns about safety issues in the area. Additionally, city officials encourage residents to report illegal encampments along Union Pacific Railroad properties directly through the company’s contact page: Union Pacific Contact Page.

“The City of El Centro remains committed to addressing safety risks and is working alongside local agencies and property owners to help prevent future incidents,”officials said in a statement.