A fire that erupted Thursday in Fairmount Park near downtown Riverside damaged two public buildings and consumed several palm trees before crews got it under control.
The non-injury blaze was reported about 7:30 a.m. in the middle of the park, near the intersection of Locust and Market streets, according to Riverside Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Allen.
He said the origin of the fire appeared suspicious, and arson investigators were summoned to examine the scene.
Five engine crews and a truck company, numbering more than two dozen personnel, reached the location within a few minutes and encountered flames in the stand of trees, extending to a public restroom, according to Allen. The fire burned the roof of the concrete outhouse and the exterior of an adjacent garage for park vehicles, he said.
The blaze was completely knocked down in just under an hour. There was no immediate estimate on the damage to the two buildings.
Homeless encampments are common along the perimeter of the park, which borders the Santa Ana River bottom.