Brush fire in Thermal grows to 40 acres; multiple buildings destroyed

THERMAL, Calif. (KABC) -- A vegetation fire that broke out in Thermal has grown to 40 acres and destroyed multiple buildings, according to Cal Fire Riverside officials.

The fire started at a half-acre around 2:16 p.m. in the 5700 block of Grapefruit Boulevard. The blaze, which firefighters say grew at a rapid rate, ended up destroying a nearby date farm, three single-family homes and multiple buildings.

Grapefruit Boulevard was closed off to traffic, south of Church Street. No injuries or evacuations were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.