Empire, CA - Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District (SCFPD), Modesto and Ceres Fire Departments were dispatched to the 200 block of Abbie Street on February 12, 2017 at 4:16 PM for reports of a working structure fire. While enroute, many reports came in about the fire and of children being trapped. SCFPD Quint 22 was first on-scene and found a single-story apartment complex well-involved with heavy smoke and flames coming from one unit; they were met by frantic neighbors and an occupant saying there were children inside. Crews initiated fire attack and interior search simultaneously.
A 10-year-old boy was located and brought out to an awaiting AMR ambulance. The paramedic on Modesto Engine 1 rode along to the hospital to assist the ambulance crew with patient care. Unfortunately, the child succumbed to his injuries. Two other patients were treated for minor injuries sustained while attempting to rescue the child before crews arrived.
A total of six engines, one rescue, one quint, three battalion chiefs and three fire investigators responded and cleared the scene around 9 PM. The damage was limited to the unit of origin and no firefighter injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.
