The New Year started out badly for the owner and residents of a Sequoia Street apartment complex which caught fire and caused significant damage to a second-floor unit and four adjoining living spaces.

The two-alarm fire in the 10-unit two-story structure was reported at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Ceres Fire Department, which contracted with Modesto Fire, quickly launched into aggressive firefighting tactics and made sure that all occupants got out of the burning unit as well as salvaging some property. The fire was mostly limited to the destroyed unit and four neighboring units sustained damage. Two units incurred fire damage in attic spaces and ceilings while two downstairs units had water damage.

The fire caused nine adults and eight children to seek shelter elsewhere. Helping them were the local Red Cross and the apartment owner.

There were no injuries reported and only one person had to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Fire on Olympia Avenue

Modesto Fire also tackled a Dec. 28 fire that broke out in a home in the 1700 block of Olympia Avenue in south Modesto. The fire was reported just before 9:30 p.m. The first arriving firefighters found heavy fire and smoke pouring from the rear of the residence involving a detached garage and outbuilding. 

A second alarm was requested due to nearby structures threatened. Crews were able to contain the fire to the involved buildings with no extension to the adjoining residences. Crews spent a significant amount of time overhauling the structures after containment. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigations Unit.