At approximately 3:20 PM on Sunday July 13th the Hollister Fire Department responded to a confirmed structure fire located on the 400 block of San Benito Street. Engine companies arrived on scene to discover a 5200 sq. multi-business retail building on fire. The businesses were closed for the day.
Firefighters performed fire attack and transitioned to a defensive posture. Multiple agencies were requested, arrived, and assigned suppression actions. At one point 78 personnel were on scene, 12 engines, 5 truck, heavy equipment, support vehicles, and the Red Cross all performed primary functions.
Five Firefighters were attended to by medics/emergency room for smoke inhalation or heat exhaustion and have recovered and returned to service. No civilians were injured during this incident.
The cause is currently under investigation. Incidents like this cause a devastating effect on the community, property owner, business owners, and the economy. As our community faces a challenging time with COVID19 and the aggressive attempt to flatten the curve, the Hollister Fire Department will continue to do what the community expects us to do. The HFD offers their sympathy to those who suffer from this loss.
I offer my sincere gratitude to those agencies that sacrificed their resources for our local emergency.
American Medical Response American Red Cross
Aptos/La Silva Fire District
Town of Boulder Creek
CalFire: BEU, CZU, SCU
Town of Felton
City of Gilroy
Hollister Police Department
Hollister Department of Public Works
City of Marina
City of Monterey
Monterey Regional Fire Protection District
North County Fire Protection District of Monterey
Presidio of Monterey Fire Department
County of San Benito Sheriff’s Office
Santa Clara County Fire Department
City of Santa Cruz
Central Fire Protection District of Santa Cruz
City of San Juan Bautista
City of Salinas
City of Watsonville
Villa and Sons Construction
Bob Marin Del Campo
Fire Chief HFD
