CalFire Capt. Jim Dellamonica said a heater on the outside of
the building started the blaze and shot flames through its
ventilation system into apartments inside.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
A malfunctioning heater started a fire Friday morning that displaced 12 labor camp residents on Salinas Road in San Juan Bautista, CalFire reported.
CalFire Capt. Jim Dellamonica said a heater on the outside of the building started the blaze and shot flames through its ventilation system into apartments inside.
Six occupants were home at the start of the fire, but none were injured, Dellamonica said.
Dellamonica estimated initial damage to be about $20,000.
“This building here is toast,” said Dellamonica, pointing to the fluorescent green, single-story residence.
The San Juan Bautista Fire Department, San Benito County Fire Department, CalFire and Aromas Tri-County Fire Department responded to the blaze.
