Los Banos fire causes $20,000 damage to abandoned home

A fire caused $20,000 in damage to an abandoned Los Banos home Thursday afternoon.

The fire was reported at 3:39 p.m. in the 24000 block of Highway 152 near Volta Road. A neighbor reported seeing smoke coming from the home. When Merced County firefighters and CalFire got on scene, smoke was showing from the roof of the building.

Firefighters made sure no one was in the home, and then did an aggressive fire attack and were able to keep the fire in one bedroom and the living room area. The fire was contained at 5:03 p.m., and no other structures were damaged.

A total of 25 firefighters, three fire engines, one water tender, one prevention officer and one chief officer responded to the incident. The estimated value of the home was $80,000, with $20,000 in damages.

The investigation into the fire is ongoing, and anyone with information on the fire should contact (209) 966-3622, ext. 221.

-- Carol Reiter