Fire guts north-central Modesto home, displaces six

A fire gutted a north-central Modesto home Saturday night, causing as much as $200,000 in damage and displacing the home’s six residents, according to fire officials.

Modesto Fire Department Battalion Chief Randy Anderson said firefighters were dispatched about 7 p.m. to the 3400 block of Polaris Street to respond to reports that a single-family home was on fire. Polaris is off Standiford Avenue and about four-tenths of a mile west of McHenry Avenue.

Anderson said firefighters went into the home to stop the fire, but because of how extensively it had spread, including into the attic, it took them about 40 minutes to knock it down. He said firefighters were on scene for about three hours. He said about two dozen firefighters, five fire engines and two ladder trucks responded, including a Ceres Fire Department battalion chief.

Anderson said the cause of the fire is under investigation, and he estimated there was $150,000 to $200,000 in damage to the house and its contents. He said the six adults who live in the home got out safely, and there were no injuries.

Anderson said it appears the residents were not able to save any of their possessions. He said the Red Cross was called to provide assistance, adding that the nonprofit agency typically provides vouchers that can be redeemed for motel rooms, clothing and food.

This story was originally published March 13, 2016 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Fire guts north-central Modesto home, displaces six."