SAN MARTIN
– A mobile home on Church Street near Wilder Avenue in San
Martin erupted in flames, Wednesday evening, sending up a plume of
black smoke that could be seen for miles.
SAN MARTIN – A mobile home on Church Street near Wilder Avenue in San Martin erupted in flames, Wednesday evening, sending up a plume of black smoke that could be seen for miles.
The fire went to two alarms and the home was a total loss.
Neighbors called the fire in at 6:01 p.m. and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection responded with eight engine companies, a water tanker and a helicopter. The home was fully involved when CDF arrived, according to firefighters at scene.
The fire was contained within 15 minutes of CDF’s arrival and was out within an hour.
The home had a propane tank in the back that was on fire when CDF arrived. They were able to extinguish the fire quickly before it exploded.
Neighbors reported that they heard the tank blow, but according to Incident Commander Rob Van Warmer, the tank never ruptured.
“It could have been anything,” he said. “A can of soup, a propane can for camping, or there could even have been tires under the home. In fires things pop.”
The blaze also caused a small grass fire that prompted CDF to call for a helicopter. The grass fire was quickly contained and no other structures were damaged.
According to Capt. Tim Main, the fire appeared to be an accident.
“They are looking into a few possibilities, but it does not appear to be a suspicious fire.”
The occupants were not home when the fire erupted. There were no injuries reported and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
