Mechanical problem cited as probable cause of blaze
Morgan Hill – A fire likely caused by a mechanical problem destroyed a travel trailer and a van Sunday night, but no one was injured in the blaze, according to California Department of Forestry Battalion Chief Derek Witmer.
The fire, on Chesbro Lake Drive in an unincorporated area northwest of Morgan Hill, was reported at 7:32pm, Witmer said, and firefighters cleared the scene by 10:45pm.
The location of the van and trailer made it difficult for firefighters to reach, said Witmer.
“It was a very narrow access, we had to lay hose by hand,” he said. “The trailer and van were fully involved before we could reach them.” The exact cause is under investigation.
Witmer said residents need to help themselves by helping the fire department.
First of all, he said, the residence needs to be marked with an address so emergency personnel can find it, and secondly, emergency vehicles need to be able to get to the residence.
Firefighters had to cut limbs off trees so one of the engines could get through to the trailer and truck.
The fire spread to nearby vegetation, Witmer said, but because the grass and other brush is not yet dried by summer temperatures, the flames didn’t spread before firefighters could put them out.
“If this had been two months from now, this could have been an entirely different story,” he said.
