Multiple people are in need of shelter after fire damages a Merced home, fire officials say

Multiple people have been forced from their home after a fire Sunday in Merced, according to fire officials.

It appears a total of eight people — four adults and four minors — have been displaced.

Firefighters responded about 10:30 a.m. to a report of a structure fire in the 200 block of Citadel Avenue, according to Merced Fire Department Battalion Chief Shawn Luce. Merced police officers were the first to arrive, authorities said, and notified firefighters that everyone was out of the home.

Luce said he arrived to find the home’s garage fully involved, with flames extending into the living space.

“We had no rescue situation,” Luce said. “The other units got on scene. We had a water supply, we pushed interior to make sure there was no extension into the living space. There was some, but we were able to contain it to the bedroom above and the laundry room behind the garage,” he said.

Three engines and a fire truck responded to the scene. According to Luce, one crew searched the interior of the home while another went to the roof to cut ventilation.

“We were able to make quick entrance,” Luce said. “It’s good to have that communication with our partners with Merced Police letting us know that everybody’s out. It gives us the ability to be safer in the way we attacked this fire.”

No injures were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Luce said, as the family tries to find temporary housing.

“We’re working with Red Cross to get them accommodations right now,” Luce said.

Fire officials said the home apparently was a rental and they were working with the property manager to see if they could further assist those who have been displaced.

A vehicle in the garage was also damaged. In all, officials said, the fire caused an estimated $150,000 in damage to the home and vehicle.

This story was originally published November 14, 2021 at 1:08 PM.