Early-morning blaze destroys feed store in Atwater, fire officials say
An early-morning fire destroyed a feed store Sunday in Atwater, according to authorities.
Just after 1 a.m., firefighters responded to the 1200 block of Atwater Boulevard for a report of a commercial structure fire, according to Cal Fire Atwater Battalion Chief Bobby Ayuso. Authorities said the fire was reported by someone on a passing train.
Ayuso said that when firefighters arrived, they found the fire to be well established in a corner of the Atwater Feed store building. While fighting the fire from outside the structure and before firefighters could make entry into the building, it became fully involved.
A city of Atwater fire engine and ladder truck responded, with additional aid from Merced County Fire including three fire engines, according to Ayuso. A total of about 10 fire personnel including two battalion chiefs responded to the scene.
Ayuso said firefighters were committed to the scene for several hours, with some fire personnel still on scene as of about 9 a.m. Sunday. According to Ayuso, the cause of the fire, which destroyed the building, remains under investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Atwater Fire Station 1 at 209-357-6352 or the Atwater Police Department at 209-357-6396.
