One person killed in Merced County residential fire, officials say
Authorities are investigating after an early morning house fire left one person dead in Merced County.
At about 2 a.m. Thursday, firefighters responded to reports of a residential structure fire near the intersection of Turner Island Road and Henry Miller Avenue near Dos Palos, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Merced County Battalion Chief Blaine Lopes.
The first fire unit arrived on scene at about 2:10 a.m. to find the modular home fully involved, according to Lopes. It took crews about two hours to extinguish the fire after making an extensive attack. Lopes said one person was found dead. Another person reportedly living in the home was able to escape.
Fire officials said three engines, two water tenders and a total of about 10 fire personnel — including two chief officers — responded to the incident. According to Lopes, Cal Fire and the Merced County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
