Early morning fire destroys abandoned residence in Atwater, fire officials say

An early morning structure fire destroyed an abandoned building in Atwater on Thursday, according to fire officials.

At about 3:45 a.m., firefighters responded the structure fire at an abandoned residence in the 1700 block of Bell Lane near the Tractor Supply Company store, according to Cal Fire Atwater Battalion Chief Robert Ayuso. Firefighters arrived to find the building about 25-50 percent in flames and initially attempted an interior attack.

Ayuso said firefighters conducted a search of the building but where then forced to switch to a defensive attack on the fire while protecting surrounding exposures. Cal Fire and Atwater Fire Department/Cal Fire crews battled the blaze and a total of about 10 fire personnel responded to the scene.

According to Ayuso, firefighters remained on scene until about 7 a.m.. Ayuso said significant alterations had been made to the interior of the building possibly for use as a commercial business, including corrugated metal walls which trapped heat inside structure during the fire.

Officials said the fire appears to have started in the front of the building, which has been known to at times be occupied by people who are homeless. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

According to Ayuso, the structure was heavily damaged in the fire and the building appears to be a total loss.