Hollister
– Local fire officials are still investigating the cause of a
fire that destroyed a Hollister family’s home last week.
Hollister – Local fire officials are still investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a Hollister family’s home last week.
While the cause of the blaze is still unknown, Hollister Fire Chief Bill Garringer said initial reports indicate it was accidental. The fire, which started shortly before 8am Saturday, destroyed the home, causing between $300,000 and $400,000 in damage, according to Garringer. The fire burned for some time before firefighters from Hollister, San Juan Bautista and the San Benito County Fire Departments arrived on scene.
“It had a good start on us,” Garringer said. “The flames had already reached the attic when we arrived.”
Flames from the blaze spread to a neighboring home, causing an estimated $20,000 in damages, Garringer said. The home burned out of control for two hours before firefighters were able to put it out, Garringer said.
“This was a very hot fire,” he said. “We believe a number of flammable liquids stored in the home caught on fire.”
Three firefighters were injured while battling the blaze. Two suffered second-degree burns and the third was treated after debris from the fire was caught in his eye, Garringer said. All three were treated by American Medical Response emergency personnel at the scene and have since recovered and returned to work, Garringer said.
Two officials from the Monterey-San Benito County Chapter of the American Red Cross were sent to the scene to help the family of three. The chapter put the family in a hotel and is paying for their meals, said Veronica Cruz, a Red Cross spokeswoman.
Garringer said all homeowners should routinely test their smoke detectors, clear brush and leaves from within 100 feet of their homes and clean gutters of leaves. Embers and ashes from wildfires, he said, can travel miles and start fires in other areas.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com.
