- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Thursday night fire burns near homes; power knocked out to Nice
NICE, Calif. – Damaged power equipment is believed to have caused a wildland fire that burned close to Highway 20 and several homes on Thursday night.
Firefighters were dispatched to the area of E. Highway 20 at Carson Street in Nice shortly after 9:30 p.m. on the report of a blown transformer, downed power lines and a resulting wildland fire that was threatening several structures, according to radio reports.
The fire personnel from Northshore Fire and Cal Fire who arrived on scene minutes later found the fire running uphill, reports from the scene indicated.
Northshore Fire Deputy Chief Pat Brown said the fire burned about a half an acre total, but it came extremely close to nearby residences.
“It ran up between four different homes,” he said, adding that none of the homes were damaged.
Shortly after the fire was reported, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said there were almost 1,600 customers without power in and around the Nice area due to damaged power equipment on a pole.
Brown said he did not know if there had been a blown transformer in the area as had been indicated in the multiple 911 calls reporting the fire, but firefighters found a separated primary line down on the ground.
A Northshore Fire engine responding to the fire was involved in a traffic collision, according to the California Highway Patrol, radio and witness reports.
The CHP said the fire truck was out of commission as a result of the crash.
Brown said there were no injuries related to the collision.
By 2 a.m. 627 customers remained without power, with PG&E estimating power would be restored to all of its customers by 4:30 a.m.
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