Community Corner
Fire Smolders in Attic of Rogge Street Apartment
A flickering exterior light alerted people to the early-morning blaze.
Faint smoke and a flickering light was all it took for Watsonville Fire Capt. Eduardo Caro to key in on a smoldering fire in a Rogge Street apartment complex early Tuesday morning.
The smoke filtering out of the second floor attic and eaves of the building, at 430 Rogge St., was enough to upgrade the Watsonville Fire Department response to a confirmed structure fire and within minutes, Watsonville engines and an aerial ladder truck, as well as backup from nearby fire departments and Watsonville police officers rushed to the scene, Watsonville Fire Division Chief Pablo Barreto reported.
Nearby apartments were evacuated as firefighters cut holes in the ceiling of the affected home to release smoke and hot gases. Firefighters removed burned insulation, according to the Barreto.
A family of six was left homeless by the fire. The local chapter of the American Red Cross is helping them find alternate housing.
No one was injured in the fire. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, according to Barreto.
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