HOLLISTER
A fire Monday night destroyed a single-story house on Hawkins Street, while crews had difficulty fighting the “super stubborn” blaze as falling power lines and a vulnerable roof hindered the effort.
The Hollister Fire Department responded at 7:06 p.m. Monday, Fire Chief Fred Cheshire said. There were at least two occupants in the home at the time. They escaped injury and had been taking belongings from the house when fire crews arrived, Cheshire said.
Power lines that had fallen remained live on the ground, and firefighters eventually fought the blaze only from the outside when the roof showed signs of collapsing, he said.
“Fighting an attic fire from the exterior is kind of rough,” Cheshire said.
He noted how there was “a lot of water” damage because the fire took three hours to extinguish.
Cheshire said Capt. Mike O’Connor had information on the fire’s cause, but O’Connor was out on a call and could not be reached immediately before publication.
A fund has been established to help victims of the fire. Those interested in donating should do so at San Benito Bank and the Della J. Silva Relief Fund.
