VISALIA – Fire investigators are not sure what caused a kitchen fire that displaced a local family from their home.
The Visalia Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire on Nov. 6 in the 4400 block W. Crowley Ave. When firefighters arrived at around 3:30 p.m. they found bystanders attempting to put the fire out with a garden hose. Realizing the fire was coming from the kitchen, firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire before it spread into the attic space.
The bystanders holding the garden hose told firefighters the residents were not home but fire personnel did search the home to make sure no one was inside the home. A family of seven was displaced due to the fire and smoke damage, but the American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance to the family. There was approximately $5,000 in property damage and approximately $1,000 in damage to the contents of the home. The property value of the house was estimated at approximately $321,000.
The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation. Two engines, two ladder trucks, and one Chief Officer responded to this fire for a total of 13 fire personnel. There were no injuries sustained to civilians or fire personnel at this fire.
