Ventura fire displaces eight residents at fourplex on Riverside Street

A fire broke out in the upstairs living room of a fourplex at 701 Riverside Street on June 17, 2026, displacing eight residents and causing both the unit of origin and the apartment below to be yellow tagged, according to the June 19 release from the Ventura City Fire Department. Station 1's Medical Engine was on a nearby medical call when bystanders reported a possible vehicle fire. Firefighters entered the structure and found the blaze held in check by the building's sprinkler system.

Twenty-six fire personnel responded with five engines, two trucks, and three battalion chiefs from Ventura City Fire, Ventura County Fire, and Oxnard City Fire, the release states. Crews extinguished the fire and checked surrounding units for extension. Four residents were displaced from the upstairs unit and four from the downstairs unit due to water damage.

One civilian sustained minor injuries while attempting to extinguish the fire and was transported to Community Memorial Hospital, per the release. No fire personnel were injured. The American Red Cross initiated assistance for the displaced residents. The scene was turned over to the on-site property manager after both affected units were yellow tagged, leaving the residents to arrange alternate housing while the cause remains under investigation.