Expensive Cooking Fire Damages Building at Former School Site Near Covina

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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VINCENT - A likely cooking fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to the building at a shuttered school in unincorporated Covina early Friday, a Sheriff’s sergeant said.

Firefighters discovered one building at the site, 16209 E. San Bernardino Rd., fully involved with flames just before 2 a.m. April 9, according to Dispatch Supervisor Michael Pittman with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

“The captain said the fire appeared to have started in one of the classrooms along the east side,” according to Sgt. Pete Shupe of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s San Dimas Station.

Evidence at the scene indicates a cooking fire started by squatters inside the classroom grew out of control, according to a report Shupe read.

One firefighter received minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital to be checked, Pittman told SGV CityWatch.

The building is on the former Griswold school site.

Firefighters reported flames were knocked down at 2:41 a.m., Pittman told SGV CityWatch.