A two-story home in Riverside sustained $200,000 worth of damage when a vehicle crashed into its side Monday morning and possibly hit a gas meter at the residence, authorities said.
The lone occupant at the home escaped prior to the crash and the motorist behind the wheel of the vehicle was released to the police department, said Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst of the Riverside Fire Department.
Fire personnel were dispatched about 2:25 a.m. to the 3200 block of Lime Street, regarding a residential fire structure fire with reports of a vehicle in the house.
Firefighters at the scene reported that a passenger vehicle had crashed into the side of the home, Vanderhorst said. They had the blaze under control at 3:48 a.m.
The engine compartment area of the vehicle was on fire, he said.
“The exterior wall (of the home) is compromised, and the vehicle was left in place pending RPD (Riverside Police Department) investigation,” Vanderhorst said. “SOCAL Gas responded to the incident and confirmed there was an underground gas leak around the meter. The vehicle may have hit the gas meter.”
“A request was also made for Code Enforcement to coordinate with Building and Safety if the house is to be red tagged,” he said.
No injuries were reported.