Two-alarm fire destroys Fresno home near Tower District

The Fresno Fire Department battled a large fire that destroyed one home and threatened several others on Tuesday just east of the Tower District.

Battalion Chief Larry French said the building was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at the home on Webster Avenue near Olive Avenue around 1:30 p.m. They quickly moved to keep it from spreading to a home to the east and a two-story apartment unit to the west.

The residual heat from the blaze shattered the windows of the neighboring structures, and firefighters caused some damage when they forcibly entered the homes to make sure no one was still inside. The nearby apartments and house were otherwise unharmed.

French said investigators are still working to find the home’s owner. Witnesses said several people come and go from the place, so investigators are also trying to compile a list of occupants to check on their safety.

Firefighters searched the home and didn’t find anyone inside, French said.

Several neighbors said the blaze started near a fence on the west side of the property. They called 911.

One neighbor said the fire ignited the lawn, which is dead and littered with debris, before spreading to the house within minutes.

French said the cause was yet to be determined. The house was destroyed.

This story was originally published July 14, 2015 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Two-alarm fire destroys Fresno home near Tower District."