News

Nut Company Fire Operations Expected to be Lengthy

Published

4 years ago

August 30, 2020

MODESTO – A massive fire that tore through two warehouses and several tons of nut product was expected to keep firefighters busy overnight and into Monday.

The fire was dispatched at about 1:30pm near the intersection of River Road and Bunker Avenue. With the fire being an unknown type, initially a single Ceres Fire engine was dispatched. Officials at the scene say employees at the Pepsi facility called in the fire.

Arriving firefighters encountered major smoke and flame from behind a warehouse on Bunker Avenue, calling for a commercial structure fire response. Additional resources in downtown Ceres observed heavy smoke conditions from the fire, and soon more resources were called to the scene. In total, three alarms were called on the fire.

The fire was consuming about 1,000 tons of nut product according to Bret Presson, a Battalion Chief with the Ceres Fire Department. The fire had begun to extend into the warehouse and office building which it would eventually also destroy. Several crates and trailers were also destroyed.

The flames were extending so much that it also caught the roof of a neighboring beverage company warehouse on fire. The fire caused a lighting fixture to collapse into the building, scrambling firefighters to prevent any further damage there.

Resources county wide were drained during the firefight. Presson said a total of 19 engines, 4 trucks and 4 water tenders responded to battle the blaze. San Joaquin County sent a strike team of firefighters to cover additional calls within Stanislaus County while crews were tied up on Bunker Avenue.

The City of Modesto sent a backhoe and front loader to assist fire crews. Presson explained that the incident was a challenge in the fact that the nut product had to be separated and drowned to be properly extinguished, similar to a hay fire. Utility companies also were called to respond to secure gas and electricity.

Eight chief officers and a Modesto training officer responded due to the complexity of the fire. One firefighter suffered a heat related illness and was transported to a hospital. Presson said he was treated and released shortly after and sent home to recover.

Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene overnight and into Monday to continue extinguishing flames, which at 10:00pm were still visible. Smoke continued to drift south into Ceres.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

News

Woman Dies from Burn Injuries

Published

3 weeks ago

July 9, 2024

Carlos Rodriguez

Deputies investigate the scene on Robertson Road where a woman was found burned on July 4th. Photo by Gaby Muro.

MODESTO – A woman who suffered burn injuries at a Robertson Road home on July 4th died from her injuries, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Reported.

Firefighters with Burbank-Paradise Fire Department and Stanislaus County Sheriff Deputies responded to a home on the 1900 block of Robertson Road for a report of a person on fire. Arriving personnel found a woman who had suffered burns over 80% of her body. She was transported to an area hospital by ambulance and later flown to a Sacramento burn center. The victim, identified as 52 year old Andrea Benning, died two days later.

Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit and Fire Investigators responded to conduct an investigation of the incident. According to the sheriff’s office, the fire was contained to the area where the victim was found inside the home. Several people at the scene were also interviewed regarding what happened.

Authorities are still working to determine whether the incident was accidental or intentional. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Jorge Perez at (209) 567-4466 or Crime stoppers at (209) 521-4636 where callers can remain anonymous.

News

Shooting Injures Two Men in Stockton

Published

2 months ago

May 27, 2024

Carlos Rodriguez

Police close off a roadway where two men were found shot.

STOCKTON – Two men were taken to a hospital after suffering injuries in a shooting Sunday night.

At about 10:18pm officers were called to the area Cemetery Lane and Harding Street for a report of two men shot. Both victims were taken to a local hospital and are expected to survive their injuries.

A short time later a crime scene was located near the area of 10th and Ophir Streets. There was no suspect information available at time of publication.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 where callers can remain anonymous.

News

Man Dies From Gunshot Wounds, Police Investigate

Published

2 months ago

May 17, 2024

Carlos Rodriguez

Police officers investigate a shooting on Dijon Street on May 12th 2024.

STOCKTON – A 39 year old man died of his injuries from a shooting on Mother’s Day, police reported Friday.

The shooting happened May 12th at about 9:40pm. Officers responded to a report of a person shot on the 2000 block of Dijon Street. Arriving officers found the victim and began providing aid until medics transported him to a hospital for care.

On Thursday May 16th, investigators were notified that the victim died. No releasable suspect information or a motive was available Friday.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 where callers can remain anonymous.