Disclaimer: Investigation into the fire at the University Riverside Gardens apartment complex is ongoing. This article includes information available up until May 31.
At approximately 11:13 a.m. on May 29, the local apartment complex University Riverside Gardens (URG) — 3996 Iowa Ave — caught fire. The Riverside Fire Department (RFD) was able to contain it by around 5:30 p.m., after around six hours of activity, resulting in the incineration of 50 units and the displacement of 150 residents. Some of the affected were students of the University of California, Riverside (UCR). As investigation into the incident continues, UCR and city organizations are working to support the affected community.
UCR student and resident Isabel Anglestead described that she had been in a discussion class when the fire broke out, stating, “I started to get texts from my friends. Then immediately after, I got a text telling me that my apartment was on fire. I had to run out of my discussion.” Others reported that prior to the arrival of firefighters, evacuation was a communal effort as residents ran through the halls screaming ‘fire’ and banging on doors. 
“I was still in my room and everyone was just knocking, [saying] ‘get [out] there’s a fire,’ and everyone was trying to get everyone out,” described another UCR student and resident John Nieves.
The fire reportedly started by accident when a contractor was working on water pipes and “hot material” came in contact with insulation within the wall. This created flames which quickly spread into the complex’s attic and evolved into a three-alarm fire. The thick cloud of black smoke which developed over the complex rose high enough to be visible from UCR’s campus.
By approximately 11:30 a.m., RFD began to arrive at the scene. Division Chief Greg White described that they combated the fire through the roof of the structure using brigade cranes. Alongside this, other firefighters sprayed water onto the base of the complex from the ground. Police officers sought to aid residents with evacuation and provide them with other resources.
With the fire having decimated important aspects of the structure including its foundation and roofing, the complex is currently considered to be uninhabitable. It is unclear when residents of the 65 salvaged units will be able to re-enter.
“In coordination with the Riverside Police Department (RPD) and the Riverside Fire Department, we were able to safely evacuate all persons from the property,” White told The Highlander.
Although the incident resulted in zero reported injuries or casualties, one cat remains missing. Furthermore, the total cost in damages to the complex is currently unknown.
Soon after the incident began, URG management started to coordinate with the local organizations such as UCR basic needs, Red Cross and Riverside Housing Services to support those affected. Although URG management could not be reached for further comment regarding their efforts to support residents, actions such as the Bodwell Park Stratton Community Center opening as an emergency shelter for residents began soon after the fire broke out.
An email sent to UCR students from the Office of the Chancellor at 8:56 p.m. the day of the incident reported that approximately 55 students were directly affected. It read, “UCR is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students. We are currently conducting outreach to affected students to ensure they have the support they need.”
The email also asserted that the university is currently “conducting outreach” to determine appropriate support for affected students. They are currently offering on-campus emergency housing and dining, off-campus housing options, basic needs, academic support and 24-hour mental health and counseling services.
The Highlander was able to confirm through a Residential Assistant, who will be kept anonymous to protect their job security, that impacted students were moved into North District Two C units on March 31 and provided with temporary meal plans. It was unclear if they had to pay for the housing.
As part of this initiative, UCR Residential Education, Residential Housing Services and Basic Needs departments are collaborating to provide housing units. The specific number of units which are being made available and other services being offered have not been publicly disclosed.
On May 30, the Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR), UCR’s fashion club Vain, ASUCR External Affairs and UCR’s Green Campus Action Plan (GCAP) made a collaborative post on Instagram calling for the community to participate in a donation event they will host on June 3 at the Bell tower from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to support those impacted by the fire. Acceptable donation items will include new or gently used clothing, dental care items, dry food, school bags, electronics and stationary items.
The post stated, “Our heart goes out to everyone impacted by this devastating fire.” GCAP also included links to multiple donation pages for affected students on their link tree, located on their Instagram page.
Besides this, the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) is currently curating a fire relief fund to support residents impacted by this fire and the Goodman Fire located in ward five.
UCR is encouraging affected students who need emergency assistance to contact UCR basic needs at (951)-827-3663 or their email housingsupport@ucr.edu and UCR’s Counseling and Psychological Services at 951-827-5531.
