One person found dead after Patterson house fire. Investigation underway
One person was found dead after a residential structure fire Sunday night in Patterson, authorities said. Investigators continued working Monday to determine what caused the blaze and the circumstances surrounding the death.
Firefighters were dispatched at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday to a reported residential structure fire in the 1100 block of Shearwater Drive, according to the Patterson Fire Department and Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit.
When firefighters arrived, they found the home heavily engulfed in flames.
The initial response included Patterson firefighters, West Stanislaus Fire Protection District, Newman Fire Department, CAL FIRE, the Stanislaus County Fire Investigation Unit and the Stanislaus County Fire Warden’s Office. Because Patterson fire engine companies were already committed to another active structure fire, a battalion chief diverted from that incident and was the first to arrive at the scene.
Neighbors told firefighters someone was believed to be inside the home, prompting crews to begin an aggressive fire attack while simultaneously searching the residence.
Due to the intensity of the fire and unsafe conditions inside portions of the home, firefighters were unable to access all areas during their initial search, according to the fire department.
After the fire was brought under control, firefighters and investigators located one occupant inside the residence.
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Nathan Crain confirmed to The Bee on Monday that the occupant was deceased.
“We do have at least one decedent that I’m aware of,” Crain said.
The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the Stanislaus County Fire Investigation Unit and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.
In a social media post Monday, the Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit asked anyone with information about the fire to contact the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office or Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers.
Crain said investigators were still actively processing the scene Monday and that additional information is expected to be released once it becomes available.
Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to contact the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office or submit an anonymous tip through Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers.
