CAL FIRE SCU - Morgan Hill - Multiple Structure Fire - NO INJURIES

Fire rips through ranch in north Morgan Hill

		Erica and Elisabeth Sanchez console each other as firefighters attempt to control a multi-structure fire at their home on Dougherty Avenue on Saturday.
		Photo by: Natalie Everett
		A firefighter battles a multi-structure blaze on Dougherty Avenue on Saturday.
		Photo by: Natalie Everett
		A Cal Fire helicopter dumps 300 gallons on a 10-acre lot Saturday.
		Photo by: Natalie Everett

Morgan Hill - The scene unfolding over the 10-acre lot was chaotic Saturday afternoon as firefighting crews from five agencies battled a multi-structured fire there, which blew plumes of black smoke in the air above north Morgan Hill.

A spooked white horse ran from the south to the north end of the former farm at 514 Dougherty Ave., owned by the Sanchez family. Chickens scattered, clucking, frantic from the sound of the CalFire chopper overhead, dumping load after load of water, 300 gallons each, trying to calm the flames.

Five agencies responded with 20 pieces of fire equipment, Cal Fire Operations Chief Mike Marcucci said.

"It was a very big deal, at first," Marcucci said, adding that they didn't know if there was anyone inside any of the burning buildings, and the buildings were already "fully involved" when the first engine responded sometime between 4 and 5 p.m.

At least 80 firefighters combated the flames, braving popping ammunition, propane tanks and car tires amid the veritable junk yard. A power line was down, too, causing Cal Fire to rope off the area with black-and-yellow tape, forbidding even firefighters from entering the zone.

Marcucci said the worst case scenario would have been winds pushing the fire east to the neighboring lumber yard, fueling the fire further, and of course the subdivisions to the south.

"We were fortunate enough to have a mowed field," Marcucci said. "It's always a struggle to get fire engines here as fast as we can."

As of 6 p.m., Marcucci estimated that the responding engines from Cal Fire, Santa Clara County Fire Department, San Jose and Gilroy fire departments and County Fire had used 12,000 gallons of water fighting the blaze. The typical house fire uses about 2,000 gallons, he said.

The Sanchez family of five siblings was in hysterics, pointing fingers of blame and naming the belongings that were lost in the fire that claimed no human injuries or lives, but took down a 2,000-square-foot, 100-year-old redwood barn, three horse trailers and four to five vehicles. Some of the family live in one of the many homes on the property, none of which were damaged.

"My pigs, my chickens!" Erica Sanchez cried between sobs.

"My Harley, my Corvette, antiques, songbooks," Mario Sanchez lamented.

Mario Sanchez said he was in a storage room next to the felled barn when he heard sounds. When he exited the storage room, the barn was already fully engulfed. He wore no shirt, and was missing a shoe, as he listed the items of his in the barn.

The cause of the fire was unknown, but Reuben Sanchez suspected that a lit cigarette butt was tossed carelessly on the ground inside the barn or near it.

Reuben Sanchez said his family has owned the land for more than 30 years.
Source article: Morgan Hill Times - Link