One resident displaced after Merced house fire

An attic fire Wednesday morning in southeast Merced displaced one resident.

No injuries were reported.

The resident, a woman who lives in the small house in the 1500 block of Stretch Road, was not home at the time of the fire, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Merced County. Her name was not available Wednesday.

Battalion Chief Jeremy Rahn said the fire broke out in the attic around 10:45 a.m., and firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to the rest of the home. “The resident won’t be able to occupy the house for the time being,” Rahn said at the scene. “The cause is under investigation.”

Firefighters estimated about $40,000 in damage to the structure and its contents. Neighbors said they heard smoke alarms, saw black smoke coming from the home and alerted authorities.

Eighteen firefighters from Cal Fire Merced County responded to the blaze, which was quickly contained. Firefighters used three engines and a water tender to battle the flames.

Rahn said Wednesday’s incident was a “good reminder” about the importance of properly installed and maintained smoke detectors.

This story was originally published December 17, 2014 at 12:02 PM with the headline "One resident displaced after Merced house fire."