Tire Store Fire Blackens Skies

A million-dollar fire at a tire store in this unincorporated community near Corona that sent up billows of thick, toxic, black smoke visible for 10 miles was brought under control this morning, but only after it destroyed two businesses.

Riverside County firefighters said employees of K&M; Tires Inc. discovered the fire when they came to open the shop at about 8:30 a.m. Next door, four or five employees were preparing to open Mex Restaurant and Bakery. Both businesses were gutted but no one was injured. “All that smoke was real toxic,” said Capt. George Tatum of the Riverside County Fire Department. “The people who were inside that building were lucky they got out without any trouble, without any damage to their lungs.” Cause of the fire is being investigated.