RIVERSIDE – A Riverside family of six whose house was damaged in a blaze was treated to an early Christmas on Dec. 22, courtesy of the Riverside Fire Department.

Personnel presented gifts collected as part of the 20th annual Southern California Spark of Love Toy Drive to four children and their parents whose single-story residence in the 10200 block of Keller Avenue caught fire on Thursday, Dec. 20.

"The fire, which was contained to one room of the house, destroyed many of the presents that were wrapped and placed near the Christmas tree," said RFD battalion chief Bob Bock.

Replacement gifts were given to the family during a 10 a.m. gathering at the Arlanza Fire Station, 10191 Cypress Ave.

Southern California fire crews started the Spark of Love in 1992 and since that time have collected more than seven million toys for underprivileged children, according to organizers.