Fire causes $90,000 in damages to home

Five people were displaced after a fire caused extensive damage to their home early Thursday.

According to the Porterville Fire Department, engines responded at about 12:30 a.m. to the 300 block of South C Street for reports of a possible structure fire.

When they arrived, firefighters found a single-story, single-family dwelling with a substantial portion of the rear engulfed in flames.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, which investigators believe was caused by an electrical short.

Total loss was estimated at $30,000 to the structure’s contents and $60,000 to the structure, the PFD reports.

The home’s five occupants were aided by the American Red Cross.

The city responded to the incident with two engines, one investigator, and one battalion chief. The Tulare County Fire Department also responded with one engine to assist.

Just hours before, at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Porterville firefighters responded to the 200 block of Willow Avenue for another structure fire with a vehicle involved.

The PFD reports that four individuals were attempting to extinguish the fire, which extended from the carport to the front porch area of the apartment.

The fire was extinguished and losses were estimated at $100 to the car, $300 to the apartment, and $600 to the carport.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The PFD responded to the second incident with 14 firefighters, one investigator and a battalion chief.