(Watsonville firefighters survey the scene of a fire that broke out at a home on Palm Avenue Wednesday. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian)
WATSONVILLE — A house fire on the corner of Lincoln Street and Palm Avenue prompted response from multiple fire agencies Wednesday afternoon, a road closure and use of a nearby fire hydrant.
According to Watsonville Fire Chief Pablo Barreto, the fire began in the attic of 321A Palm Ave., a small unit located right behind 323 Palm Ave. As it spread, the fire sent up dark clouds of smoke.
Tenant Aurora Contreras said she was watching television when the unit’s fire alarm went off.
“I suddenly smelled smoke,” Contreras said. “It was pretty scary.”
Watsonville Fire, Cal Fire, North Monterey County Fire and Aptos/La Selva Fire joined forces to extinguish the blaze. Later on, PG&E was called in to deal with gas and electric issues on the property.
The official cause of the fire has not been determined.
LIncoln Street was closed in the area for about two hours.
The incident is still under investigation.
