'Suspicious' Delhi fire damages empty home

DELHI -- Fire investigators are calling a one-alarm fire that destroyed an abandoned home Wednesday morning in Delhi "suspicious."

The fire broke out around 12:30 a.m. in a single-story home at the corner of Bradbury Road and Sycamore Street, according to Merced County Fire Department Battalion Chief Gabriel Santos.

The 18 firefighters took less than an hour to contain the fire, which caused up to $20,000 in damage.

Santos said the fire is suspicious in nature and the cause is under investigation. Anyone with information should call the Merced County Fire Department at (209) 385-7344.

Reporter Ramona Giwargis can be reached at (209) 385-2477 or rgiwargis@mercedsunstar.com.