Merced fire that damages about 14 homes treated as suspicious, fire chief says

A fire that burned along the BNSF Railroad tracks in Merced damaged the property on about 14 homes on Tuesday.

The fire was reported just before 5 p.m. Tuesday near the tracks between Ash and Oak avenues, according to Merced City Fire Battalion Chief Jeremy Franklin.

The wind pushed the flames along the tracks down to Keely Avenue, he said. The count could change, but the initial tally showed 14 homes were damaged.

“They were all outbuildings and fences,” he said. “No livable structures were damaged.”

One man reported smoke inhalation from trying to fight the flames with a garden hose, Franklin said. He was treated at the scene.

Neighbors said they saw a man and woman filming flames and laughing in the area.

Franklin said Merced police would be investigating the fire as suspicious.

Merced Police Capt. Joe Weiss said police are treating the fire as a possible arson but have not made any arrests. A man and woman detained briefly near the fire were determined to not be involved, he said.

Four engines, one truck and one Calfire truck responded. Two chiefs and 19 firefighters were on scene, he said.

This story was originally published July 17, 2019 at 9:48 AM.