At approximately 11pm on Monday evening, Ventura Fire and Oxnard Fire crews were dispatched to a suspected structure fire in the commercial area of Knoll Drive and Valentine Road. Large flames and a billowing head of smoke was visible from most areas of Ventura and Oxnard. Repeated calls to the Fire Communications center were from vehicles traveling on the freeway, therefore the exact location was not known. Fire personnel located the fire in an agricultural field adjacent to the 2000 Block of Knoll Drive.
Firefighters had to make physical access through chain link fences and locked gates to reach the fire. A large trailer containing rolls of polyethylene sheeting used in farming was fully engulfed. This was adjacent to a stack of pallets and a tractor. Â Firefighters knocked down the main body of fire and the tractor sustained minimal damage.
The exact fire loss is unknown but is estimated between 15 and 25 thousand dollars.
This incident is followed by many suspected arson fires as of late, specifically targeting farming and outside infrastructure in agricultural parts of Ventura and Oxnard. This fire was in county jurisdiction and the Ventura County Fire Department Investigators and Detectives from the Sheriff’s department were involved in the investigation.
The multi-agency arson task force is asking if anyone has any information regarding suspicious behavior that is consistent with this string of incidents– that they contact the non-emergency line at the Ventura County Fire Arson Unit (805) 384-4774.
Incident Number: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 58687Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Information Contact:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Douglas Miser, Battalion Chief
Incident Type:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Agricultural Equipment Fire (Suspected Arson)
Date/Time of Incident:        7-12-21 – 2251
Incident Location: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Agricultural Fields adjacent to 2100 Block of Knoll Drive
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Cause:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Suspected Arson
Injuries: (general)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â None
Number of Personnel:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 13 Fire
Fire Equipment:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4 Engines, 2 Truck Company(s), 2 Battalion Chiefs
                                           1 Ventura County Fire Investigator, 1 Sheriff Investigator
Agencies Involved:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ventura City Fire Department, Oxnard Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura County Sheriff