A fire that damaged the Moreno Valley Veterans’ Memorial was not an act of arson, but apparently the result of an equipment malfunction at the site, according to officials.
“Based upon a thorough review of all the evidence, arson investigators concluded the fire was accidental and the cause to be damaged electrical equipment,” according to a city statement released Friday night.
No specific details about the equipment failure were provided.
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Cal Fire arson investigators jointly investigated the March 19 blaze within the Moreno Valley Civic Center in the 14100 block of Frederick Street.
According to city officials, the fire was reported at about 5 a.m., and county fire personnel reached the location a few minutes later, quickly knocking down the flames. Sheriff’s deputies also went to the site but did not locate any suspects.
The blaze destroyed the decorative landscaping at the 15-year-old memorial and caused superficial damage to the “Fallen Soldier” statue, which depicts a pair of combat boots, a soldier’s helmet, an M-16 rifle and the names of military personnel from the area whose lives were lost in wars.
Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez released a statement immediately after the fire, declaring, “This is not only destruction of government property, but it is also an attack on our veteran community.”
Based on the findings of the investigative team, the mayor said Friday that he was “comforted to know that this fire is likely not the result of vandalism.”
“The thought that someone would intentionally commit such a heinous act against our veterans has kept me up at night,” Gutierrez said.
He said the city is already preparing restoration plans for the damaged site.
Fire Battalion Chief Jesse Park said an eyewitness had spotted someone near the memorial about the time the blaze erupted.
“Security footage also revealed an unknown subject to be in the area, but we could not connect the individual to this fire or other arson fires in the community,” Park said. “We will continue to investigate fire incidents thoroughly because the safety of our community is paramount.”
Anyone with relevant information was asked to contact the sheriff’s Moreno Valley station at 951-486-6700, or Cal Fire at 951-940-6900.