Fire in north Modesto displaces three

Firefighters battled a two-alarm blaze Thursday afternoon that displaced three adults in north Modesto.

The fire broke out in the backyard of a home at 2053 Milford Lane, northwest of Celeste Drive and Oakdale Road, about 1 p.m., said Battalion Chief Randy Anderson.

A boat in the backyard and an enclosed patio full of items were ablaze when firefighters arrived. A second alarm was called, bringing additional resources, when high winds pushed the fire east toward the home next door.

Anderson said the effort was also hampered by curious people who saw the column of smoke rising from the house and started driving toward it to get a look.

Engines arriving via Anson Way, a narrow street that dead-ends into Milford, had to back out and drive around the block because motorists who had come to the area were blocking their way. Motorists had stopped in the middle of the road or were trying to turn around on it.

“I understand people want to see what is going on and everyone has cellphones and wants to take photos of it, but there are so many things we have to do in such a quick hurry and we can’t do it until we get our people here,” Anderson said.

He said even turning from Oakdale Road onto Celeste was a challenge because there was a line of cars also trying to turn onto Celeste to go to the fire. The engines had to pass them in the opposing lane.

The fire was mostly contained to the outside of 2053 Milford, but the heat blew out a few of the home’s windows causing some fire and smoke damage. The family was displaced and elected to stay with family members.

A window also shattered at the home next door but there was no fire damage to that home, and the residents were not displaced, Anderson said.

He said the fire caused an estimated $60,000 in damage.

This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 3:38 PM with the headline "Fire in north Modesto displaces three."