GUSTINE — A festive Fourth of July evening was abruptly interrupted by sirens and smoke as the Gustine Fire Department and Merced County responded to a significant structure fire that caused substantial damage to two properties.
The initial call came in at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Friday, reporting a blaze in the 600 block of Wallis Avenue. Fire crews arrived on the scene to find a detached garage fully engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading rapidly to a nearby vehicle. The intense heat and flames had also begun to damage a second garage on an adjacent property.
A robust response team, consisting of approximately 10 firefighters and five engines, immediately launched an aggressive attack on the fire. Their primary objectives were to extinguish the main body of the blaze and halt its progression to the neighboring structures, including the main residences.
"Crews were met with one structure fire/garage and one vehicle and caused damage to another structure/garage," stated Fire Chief Richard Martin, who was on the scene.
As of Friday night, the cause of the fire remained undetermined. Chief Martin confirmed that the incident is now the subject of a formal investigation. "The cause is still unknown and under investigation," he reiterated, declining to speculate on the potential origins until investigators can thoroughly examine the scene.
Firefighters remained at the location fire was extinguished, dousing hotspots and ensuring the area was secure.
