Merced firefighters attack downtown blaze after report of someone inside
Merced firefighters responded on Tuesday to a structure fire with reports of a person inside, but there turned out to be nobody in the building.
Multiple units with the Merced Fire Department responded to the blaze in the area of West 13th Street, with flames and smoke visible as they arrived.
Firefighters responded aggressively on a report the building possibly was occupied.
“A primary search was immediately initiated due to reports of a possible occupant inside while additional companies assisted with fire attack, water supply, and exposure protection,” a Merced Fire Department Facebook post said.
To clear smoke from the building to help with the search, firefighters cut ventilation openings over the involved area. That released heat and smoke, improving visibility and helping the firefighters working inside the building, the post said.
Interior crews extinguished the fire. The search for the reported occupant was completed, and nobody was found.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
