A quick and large response from the Turlock Fire Department kept a fire from spreading through a six-unit apartment complex on Saturday.
The fire was reported just before noon Saturday at an apartment complex in the 1100 block of Pedras Road.
Firefighters arrived at the scene to find smoke and flames coming from a second-floor balcony.
“Turlock firefighters quickly deployed a hose line and made access into the second floor apartment unit where the fire was rapidly spreading from the balcony into the attic space of the six unit apartment building,” said Turlock Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kevin Tidwell.
A combined effort to attack the main fire on the balcony as well as the fire in the attic space threatening the rest of the building proved successful. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and contain the damage to a portion of a second-floor unit of the building.
“City firefighters fought and extinguished the fast spreading fire before it extended into other occupied apartment units providing life safety and reducing property dollar loss,” said Turlock Fire Chief Robert Talloni.
All occupants and a dog, named Aries, had escaped to safety prior to the fire department’s arrival. Turlock firefighters were able to locate a pet cat named Calypso inside the apartment and reunite her with her owners. No injuries to occupants or firefighters occurred.
Turlock City Fire Department responded with three engines, Squad 32, a battalion chief and the chief of the department. Ceres Fire Department responded with one engine and a battalion chief as part of a resource sharing agreement. Turlock Rural Fire Protection District provided city coverage during the incident. Turlock Irrigation District and PG&E responded to assist with securing utilities and an AMR unit responded to provide medical care to possible victims and provide firefighter safety.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Stanislaus County Fire Investigation Unit assisted with cause and origin investigation. Anyone with information can contact the Stanislaus County FIU at 209-525-5537 or email info@stanfiu.org.
