A fire broke out Wednesday afternoon at a cannabis dispensary in Cathedral City, causing extensive smoke and water damage but fortunately no injuries. The incident took place at Twisted Peach Growing, a dispensary located in the Vista Point Plaza shopping center.
Firefighters responded swiftly to the scene, with Cathedral City Fire Chief Vinny Salazar stating that the blaze was largely under control thanks to crews already being in the area. According to Chief Salazar, the fire appeared to have started in an air conditioning unit. The flames were quickly knocked down, limiting further structural damage to the business.
“When we got inside, there was a decent amount of smoke coming from the back grill room,” Salazar explained. “We’ve done a great job of locating the scene of the fire and getting it knocked down… Praise God, we got no victims at this point and we got a primary all-clear.”
Though the fire itself was controlled quickly, it caused significant damage to the building. The sprinkler system was activated, which helped suppress the flames but also contributed to water damage throughout the dispensary. Heavy smoke filled the area, making cleanup and restoration a necessary next step for the business.
As the Cathedral City Fire Department finished up operations at the scene, their work was far from over. Chief Salazar reported that crews were immediately redirected to a second, unrelated fire at a nearby location called Sky Blue. The cause of the second fire was not released at the time of the report.
This incident underscores the importance of fire safety, particularly in commercial spaces that may house sensitive equipment and flammable materials. While cannabis dispensaries must adhere to strict regulatory standards, unexpected mechanical issues — such as malfunctioning HVAC units — can still lead to emergencies.
Local officials have not yet announced whether further investigation into the fire will be conducted, but for now, the focus remains on cleanup efforts and maintaining public safety.
Twisted Peach Growing is expected to work with fire officials and property managers in the coming days to evaluate the full scope of the damage and determine when it can safely reopen.
