Fire reported at boarded-up building just outside Merced, says Cal Fire

A commercial building just outside the City of Merced was damaged by a fire Sunday, according to fire officials.

At about 9:20 p.m., firefighters responded to the structure fire at the single-story commercial building in the 1400 block of Brantley Street, according to Atwater Fire Department/Cal Fire Battalion Chief Robert Ayuso.

Officials said firefighters arrived to find the boarded-up, vacant building with fire located in a portion of the structure.

The fire, which damaged nearby power lines, was located in the rear of the structure, according to Ayuso. Due to the downed lines, firefighters were less aggressive attacking the fire in the area of the lines, officials said.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company personnel responded to the scene to secure the lines.

Three Merced County fire engines, two water tenders and Merced County rescue responded to the fire with assistance from one City of Merced fire engine and a battalion chief who responded for mutual aid. A total of about 15 fire personnel responded to the scene and the fire was controlled and contained within about three hours, according to Ayuso.

Officials said no injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 5:39 PM.