Dozens escape fire at Merced complex

Dozens of people were forced from their apartments Wednesday as a blaze burned a complex on the edge of Merced’s city limits, according to the city’s fire chief.

Merced city firefighters responded to a report just before 3 p.m. of flames at the Willow Glen Townhouse Apartments on Yosemite Parkway near Edwards Avenue, according to Chief Shawn Henry.

Smoke billowed from the building as fire crews fought the flames from two sides of the complex.

The blaze started in a building on Edwards Avenue and spread to the apartments, he said, but no injuries were reported. Flames spread quickly inside the attic of the building.

About eight units were affected by the fire, according to an apartment employee who declined to give her name.

Henry said all of Merced’s fire equipment responded to the scene. The crew got assistance from Riggs Ambulance, state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection of Merced County, Merced police and the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

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This story was originally published August 24, 2016 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Dozens escape fire at Merced complex."