Cal Fire Investigator Curt Itson confirmed today that illegal
fireworks caused Tuesday’s fire on Buena Vista Road that destroyed
a barn and several vehicles.
firefighters battling the blaze and a photo gallery of the
fire.
Cal Fire Investigator Curt Itson confirmed today that illegal fireworks caused Tuesday’s fire on Buena Vista Road that destroyed a barn and several vehicles.
Itson said three teenage Hispanic males are being sought as possible suspects after they were seen by neighbors running away from the blaze.
“We found several unlit smoke bombs at the scene, and from the description of several witnesses and other evidence, we determined that large firecrackers started the fire,” Itson said.
It occurred in the back yard of a home at 1620 Buena Vista Road owned by Bud Davidson.
Davidson said he heard a loud “boom” while he was inside his house and about 15 minutes later he saw that his barn and most of his back yard were engulfed in flames.
At the scene Tuesday, several neighbors reported hearing fireworks before they saw the fire. One neighbor, Violeta Sanchez, said she saw a group of boys run east on Central Avenue before turning around and running West. One of the boys was dressed in all black, she said.
The fire sent thick smoke into the air and could be seen for miles around. No one was injured, while more than a dozen firefighters battled the flames. Firefighters saved both Davidson’s home and the surrounding homes – although the barn and vehicles were completely destroyed.
Anyone with information regarding the fire or the three teenage suspects should call the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office at 636-4080.
