Calif. town hit by string of dental office fires

A fire reported June 14 at a Western Dental office in Fontana, CA, is the fourth dental office fire in Fontana since March, and investigators say all are the work of an arsonist.

San Bernardino County firefighters responded to reports of an early morning structure fire at the Western Dental office. Although they were able to contain the fire to the rear of the facility and extinguish the blaze within 30 minutes, due to the type of equipment and materials inside the building, heat from the fire radiated throughout the office, melting everything within reach, according to a news release.

A June 14 fire at a Western Dental office in Fontana, CA is said to be the work of a serial arsonist. Image courtesy of the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

A June 14 fire at a Western Dental office in Fontana, CA is said to be the work of a serial arsonist. Image courtesy of the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

The structure of the business remains standing; however, all of its content was destroyed, and damages are estimated at more than $1 million. The fire remains under investigation.

During March, three other dental businesses were set on fire along a single stretch of road in Fontana between Interstate 10 and Interstate 210. In all four fires, the arsonist used similar ignition sources, according to investigators.