As a 911 dispatcher, Eric Golden has heard his share of distress
calls. But when he received a call while off-duty that his home was
on fire, he couldn’t believe it.
As a 911 dispatcher, Eric Golden has heard his share of distress calls. But when he received a call while off-duty that his home was on fire, he couldn’t believe it.
A blown electrical outlet started a fire in Golden’s mobile home on Buena Vista Road Saturday night that burned the residence to the ground.
Golden wasn’t home when an old, plastic electrical outlet blew and ignited his desk and then the rest of his trailer at 2680 Buena Vista Rd. around 10:55 p.m. – causing more than $80,000 in damage.
Golden had been living in the trailer next to his parents home on their property for about a year. Although he was despondent over the loss of all of his belongings and his home, which wasn’t insured, he was glad no one was hurt.
“Nobody was killed, that’s the important thing,” Golden said. “It’s just stuff after all, and stuff can be replaced.”
Golden’s two cats that were inside the trailer were able to get out unharmed. And because Golden had left the gate open to a barn near the trailer that housed a mare and a new foul, they were able to get to the pasture and also escaped unscathed, he said.
Both the Hollister Fire Department and California Department of Forestry firefighters responded to the fire, which took about a half an hour to extinguish, said CDF Firefighter Mike Shaw.
CDF responded with about 15 firefighters and two fire engines, and four Hollister city firefighters with one fire engine assisted.
“There was another house about 20 feet away that was threatened but didn’t catch fire,” Shaw said.
A foster child staying in the main house was home when the fire started and was not harmed, Golden said.
“I was on my way to Half Moon Bay to pick my mom up when (the foster child) called and told me my house was on fire,” he said.
The depression caused by picking through the charred pieces of his life was moderated by the good deeds of others, Golden said.
His mother, Ardyss Golden, is a minister at the Hollister United Methodist Church. After she mentioned the fire to the congregation on Sunday, there was an immediate outpouring of support, he said.
People brought over food, clothes and even a camper for Golden to stay in until he finds a new place, he said.
“I’ve always believed church is a great thing, and I’m not out there Bible-thumping, but to me this is what church is all about,” Golden said. “Being a big family and being there for one another.”
