Firefighters were busy mopping up a blaze that broke out on a quarter-acre of grass and yard near the corner of Day Road and Geri Lane in Gilroy today, May 15.
Smoke was visible from throughout the vicinity of Christopher High School as helicopters circled overhead, dumping water on the fire that engulfed a two-story home, dipping hundreds of gallons from nearby ponds, to contain the fire.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, Cal Fire reported.
The fire involved several small structures damaged with the 3,000 square-foot, two-story home, which was lost in the fire.
No one was home or injured, according to Cal Fire.
Investigators were busy checking the scene as of press time as nearby neighbors gathered to watch as smoke spread southward. The biggest concern was keeping the fire from spreading to the hillside, and there’s no reason to believe it was a suspicious fire, Cal Fire investigators reported.
The exact cause of the fire, which started close to the structure, remained under investigation. According to Cal Fire, the more extreme weather, the more equipment is sent based on experience. Initial response included eight engines, several helicopters and multiple water tankers.
As of 5 p.m. the fire was “well burned down,” according to Morgan Hill Cal Fire Battalion Chief Scott Witt. “We’re just doing the surround and drown so that all of the embers in the structure are out so that it doesn’t spread to anything else.”
Witt said firefighters contained the fire to spreading to nearby hills. Mop-up was expected to last through the morning hours.
When contacted on May 16, Witt said an engine was present onsite and during the morning to deal with a couple of hot spots. An exact cause of had yet to be determined, Witt confirmed.
