Flames from a late-night blaze lit up the skies above Wayside Drive in Turlock on Tuesday, as the Turlock Fire Department put multiple resources into their effort to keep the flames from racing through an apartment complex.
The fire was reported at 10:18 p.m. Tuesday at an apartment in the 300 block of Wayside Drive. Flames engulfed the second story of a structure, with thick smoke billowing into the night as first responders arrived.
All Turlock Fire units responded to the scene and they were able to reign in the fire within 45 minutes. Five residents were displaced and are now receiving assistance from the Red Cross. The family did lose a dog and a cat in the fire, the fire department reported.
The coordinated effort extended beyond Turlock, with additional resources flooding in from resource-sharing partners, including five engines, a quint, and a battalion chief. The scene remained active for hours as crews meticulously conducted overhaul operations to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
The fire department is reminding residents that the recent time change serves as a great reminder to replace the batteries in smoke detectors.
Investigators from the Stanislaus County Fire Investigation Unit are working to determine the cause of the fire. Anyone with information about the fire is urged to contact the Stanislaus County Fire Investigation Unit at (209) 525-5537.