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Arson fire at apartment complex displaces three residents
Police arrest one for arson
Richland fire
Ceres firefighters put out a fire Saturday morning that destroyed two apartment units on Richland Avenue and were assisted by Modesto Fire and Stanislaus Consolidated fire departments.

An early Saturday arson fire badly damaged two units of a Richland Avenue apartment complex and displaced at least three residents.

Nobody was injured in the blaze, which broke out at 12:13 a.m. at 1625 Richland Avenue. Ceres Police arrested one individual for arson related to the fire which is being investigated by the Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit.

Ceres Engine 15 and a battalion chief first arrived to find fire engulfing a ground level apartment unit that burned into the second-floor unit above it and into the attic.

Also responding was Modesto, and Stanislaus Consolidated Fire departments which brought a total of three battalion chiefs, three fire trucks including the Ceres quint engine, and nine engines. Fire crews quickly deployed multiple lines on the fire and performed a search for any victims.

The fire was under control within approximately five minutes of arrival however, the ground level unit was destroyed, and the second-floor apartment suffered moderate damage.

The American Red Cross assisted the three displaced residents find emergency housing by providing vouchers for hotels.