Press Release

Monday, July 6, 2020

Outside Debris Fire Threatening Structures

Turlock City Fire Department responded to the report of a debris fire in a backyard of a residence in the 800 block of Fifth Street on July 5, 2020 at approximately 4:51 p.m.

A large smoke column could be seen while units were responding and the incident was upgraded to a working structure fire. The first arriving engine reported a large fire in the backyard threatening multiple structures. Four additional engines were requested as part of Resource Sharing.

Firefighters deployed multiple hoselines to attack and contain the large debris fire that was actively spreading to surrounding structures. Firefighters had to make access from both Emily Street and Fifth Street due to access issues and were able contain the fire in approximately 15 minutes. One metal shed was destroyed by the fire and one outbuilding sustained major fire damage. Due to the quick and aggressive fire attack by firefighters, the surrounding residences were saved with only two of those homes sustaining minor heat damage. No injuries to citizens were reported.

During the firefighting operations, one firefighter sustained minor injuries when a large tree branch broke free and struck the firefighter on his helmet. The firefighter was treated at scene, transported to a local hospital for evaluation and released back to duty later in the day.

Turlock City Fire Department responded initially with two engines, Squad 32, a battalion chief and Engine 34 responding from Ceres due to the fact they were on a cover assignment for the City of Ceres. Ceres Fire Department responded to the incident with two engines, one quint, and a battalion chief along with one engine from the Modesto Fire Department as part of our Resource Sharing Agreement.

The location of the fire occurred within the City of Turlock but also incorporated portions of an island of Stanislaus County. Turlock Rural Fire Protection District and the Stanislaus County Fire Investigation Unit responded out to the scene to assist the Turlock Fire Department’s Fire Marshal with the fire investigation.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Any inquiries regarding the investigation should be directed to the Stanislaus County Fire Investigation Unit at 209-525-5537.



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