Wind-whipped 25-acre fire destroys two homes in Fresno County. What started it?
Fresno County firefighters battled a 25-acre blaze southeast of Fresno city limits Sunday night that engulfed two homes.
The fire started around 8 p.m. near California and Armstrong avenues.
Cal Fire said forward spread of the fire had been stopped by 10 p.m., but firefighters continued to work on containment of the fires at the two structures involved.
The blaze was out as of Monday morning but crews would continue to monitor it, a Cal Fire spokesperson said.
This fire at Armstrong and California, still a threat … pic.twitter.com/yZVt2Z5DJZ
— Robert Kuwada (@rkuwada) July 4, 2022
The fire started in an empty lot and was wind-driven, Fresno County Fire Battalion Chief Jeremiah Wittwer said. It spread to the two houses, one occupied and one vacant. Both were destroyed.
All residents were accounted for, Wittwer said.
A third home was threatened by flames but crews were able to protect it, the spokesperson said.
Embers from tall trees in the backyard of the vacant house continued to be a threat, pushed by a light but steady breeze, and firefighters around 11 p.m. had to again pour water onto the structure after the fire there flared up.
No injuries were reported, Cal Fire said.
A total of 65 firefighter personnel and 17 apparatuses responded to fight the fire. Its origin remained under investigation Monday morning, according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief John Dominguez.
