Fire guts abandoned house in Merced

A vacant house burned to the ground Wednesday after firefighters determined it was safer to defend neighboring homes than it was to save the already-crumbling structure.

Merced firefighters responded around 11 a.m. to 339 R St. and said the empty house was already consumed by flames. A large portion of the roof collapsed shortly after their arrival, Battalion Chief Billy Alcorn said.

Fire Capt. Jim Evans said the decision to let the empty house burn was based on safety concerns. “Once we realized it was a total loss, we don’t want to put anybody in harms way,” Evans said.

Firefighters focused on preventing the blaze from spreading to neighboring home.

Damage was estimated at around $80,000.

A total of 13 firefighters responded to the scene and utilized three engines to battle the flames. Crews remained on scene until just before 3 p.m., mopping up hot spots.

There were no injuries.

Firefighters have not ruled out the possibility the fire was set intentionally, but said the cause remained under investigation Wednesday afternoon. Neighbors in the area said the home had been vacant for several years and was a frequent campsite for homeless people.

A similar fire in a vacant home was reported Tuesday night on Childs Avenue, firefighters said. Investigators were still working to determine whether the fires were possibly connected.

This story was originally published May 20, 2015 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Fire guts abandoned house in Merced."