On Monday, January 16, 2023, at 6:39 am, the Turlock Fire Department was dispatched to a reported hazard at a residence in the 1500 block of E Hawkeye Ave, Turlock, after a tree had fallen onto the home.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they found a large tree that had fallen and sliced right through the middle of a single-story single-family dwelling.
One resident was inside the home at the time of the incident, however, they escaped uninjured.
On Wednesday, January 4th, 2023, at 9:48 pm, the Turlock Fire Department was dispatched to a hazard at Vilas Parkside, 381 W Hawkeye Ave, Turlock, after a tree had fallen onto an apartment building.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they found a large redwood tree that had been blown over by the strong winds and come to rest against a two-story apartment building.
Four units were evacuated and secured.
The American Red Cross responded and assisted four adults and three children who were displaced as a result of the incident.
On Wednesday, October 12th, 2022, at 10:40 am, the Turlock Fire Department was dispatched to a reported natural gas leak in the 2000 block of N Quincy Rd, Turlock.
Firefighters arrived on scene and found that a construction crew had accidentally struck and ruptured a four inch natural gas line, causing a leak.
Those living within the boundaries of Castleview Dr, N Daubenberger Rd, Mira Flores Dr, and N Johnson Rd were all automatically ordered to shelter in place while the Pacific Gas and Electric Company responded to secure the leak.
It took about two hours for the leak to be secured and an additional four to six hours to conduct repairs.
On Saturday, July 9th, 2022, at 2:52 pm, the Turlock Fire Department was dispatched to a reported hazardous materials incident at Foster Farms Turkey Division Plant 2, 711 W F St, Turlock.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they discovered an ammonia leak from a gauge in a compressor room.
All employees at the plant were immediately evacuated and accounted for.
The Modesto Fire Department responded with a hazardous materials team which made entry into the compressor room and stopped the leak by securing five valves that fed the compressor.
American Medical Response also responded to provide firefighter and patient care, while the Turlock Police Department responded to provide traffic control.
No injuries were reported.
The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is encouraged to call Stanislaus County Environmental Resources at 209-525-6700.
Fourth of July this year proved to be another busy one for police and fire personnel, with tons of calls for illegal fireworks and fires.
The Turlock Police Department had six extra officers on-duty during the night working a special detail for illegal fireworks enforcement. Over 170 calls reporting illegal fireworks were received, however, only 21 of those calls resulted in administrative citations being issued, as officers can only issue citations for violations committed in their presence.
Administrative citations for illegal fireworks under Turlock Municipal Code section 4-3-411 can range from anywhere between $100 and $1,000, depending on how many previous citations have been issued to the same offender within the past year. They can be issued to the person discharging them or in possession of them, as well as to any responsible party for a property where they are discharged or possessed.
The Turlock Fire Department responded to 13 fires during the night between 7:45 pm and 1:09 am. Five were grass fires, five were trash fires, two were fence fires, and one was a house fire.
The house fire was caused by Safe and Sane fireworks discarded in a trash can placed up against the residence. A separate article containing more details about it will be published.
On Sunday, June 26th, 2022, at 11:23 pm, the Turlock Fire Department, Modesto Fire Department, Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigations Unit, Turlock Police Department, and American Medical Response were dispatched to a reported residential working structure fire in the 700 block of E Main St, Turlock.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they found two detached garages on fire, one of which was fully involved. Firefighters immediately began fire attack in the offensive strategy.
After about ten minutes, firefighters were able to get the fire under control, however, it took an additional hour to completely put the fire out.
At some point during fire attack, firefighters had a live power line go down in the immediate area where they were working. Luckily, it didn’t touch anyone.
Firefighters remained on scene for an extended period of time conducting overhaul, investigation, and other post fire activities.
The Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigations Unit responded to the scene to investigate the fire, the Turlock Police Department responded to the scene to provide traffic control, American Medical Response responded to the scene to provide firefighter and patient care, the Turlock Irrigation District and Pacific Gas and Electric Company responded to secure utilities, while the Modesto Fire Department and Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District provided city coverage for the duration of the incident.
No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains unclear.
The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is encouraged to call the Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigations Unit at 209-525-5537.
The Turlock Fire Department had a busy day today on Monday, October 11th, 2021, responding to four separate calls related to the high winds which all took a decent amount of time.
The first call came in at 10:27 am. Firefighters were dispatched to reported wires down in front of Turlock Nursery School, 415 Grant Ave, Turlock. When they arrived on scene, they found a large branch that had fallen off of a tree and brought some power lines down with it. Firefighters stood by and assisted with children pickup at the preschool until Turlock Irrigation District could respond to secure power and conduct repairs.
The second call came in at 10:41 am. Firefighters were dispatched to reported wires down in the roadway at the intersection of W Main St and Radio St, Turlock. When they arrived on scene, they found communication lines that had fallen in the roadway. Firefighters moved them out of the road and cleared as they were not power lines thus not hazardous.
The third call came in at 12:24 pm. Firefighters were dispatched to reported wires down behind Hendrickson’s Turlock Music, 223 N Center St, Turlock. When they arrived on scene, they found a branch that had fallen off of a free and brought some power lines down with it. Firefighters evacuated the homes in the immediate area and stood by until Turlock Irrigation District could respond to secure power and conduct repairs.
The fourth and final call came in at 6:37 pm. Firefighters were dispatched to a check out at a residence in the 100 block of N Minaret Ave, Turlock. When they arrived on scene, they found a large tree that had fallen onto the home and a vehicle in its driveway. Firefighters assisted with removing the tree from the home and vehicle until a tree service could respond to clean up the mess.
In addition to responding to the above calls, firefighters responded to their normal daily calls for service, which included several medical aids, commercial fire alarms, mutual aid requests, and a vehicle collision. Similar winds are expected tomorrow, Tuesday, October 12th, 2021, which are likely to cause similar issues.
If you come across any hazardous conditions caused by high winds, including downed lines or trees, or malfunctioning traffic signals, please report them by calling 209-668-1200.
On Monday, April 5th, 2021, at approximately 9:50 pm, the Turlock Police Department received a call of a rollover injury vehicle collision at Fulkerth Rd and N Washington Rd. Turlock Police officers responded along with American Medical Response and the Turlock Fire Department’s Battalion 4, Squad 32, and Engine 34.
The first arriving units found a pickup truck on its side with its driver, who was the only occupant, sitting on top to avoid electrocution due to hitting a power pole and some wires. The Turlock Irrigation District responded and secured the power which made it safe for the driver to get off of his vehicle. Once off, he was checked out and had no injuries.
The collision caused a power outage in the area. The roadway was blocked for an extended period of time to allow for Turlock Irrigation District crews to work on fixing the power lines and restoring power. It’s unknown at this point how the collision occurred or if speed, alcohol, or drugs were a factor.
On Saturday, December 12th, 2020, shortly after 1:10 pm, the Turlock Fire Department received multiple calls reporting that a propane tank had exploded which caused a vehicle to catch fire at 101 E Glenwood Ave. Battalion 4, Engine 31, and Squad 32 were dispatched.
Squad 32 arrived on scene at approximately 1:15 pm. Captain 32 reported a vehicle that had been damaged from a propane tank explosion. Captain 32 also reported that the propane tank was still leaking and there was a strong odor of propane in the area. Captain 32 assumed command and had his crew begin working on extinguishing the fire and securing the propane tank. An ambulance was requested for a burn victim as well as police officers to provide traffic and crowd control.
After a short while, the fire was brought under control, preventing further damage or injury. The cause of the fire remains unknown and under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this fire is encouraged to contact Fire Marshal Mark Gomez at 209-669-2119 or by email at MGomez@turlock.ca.us.
On Wednesday, September 16th, 2020, at approximately 6:50 pm, the Turlock Fire Department received a call of a vegetation fire at the Pleasanton Arthritis and Osteoporosis Medical Center located at 2161 Colorado Ave, Suite A2, that had already reached a tree that was threatening high voltage power lines and a structure. The initial alarm dispatched Battalion 4, Engine 31, Engine 33, and Engine 34, however, Engine 34 was canceled once it was determined that their assistance was not required. Fire 12 also responded.
Battalion 4 arrived on scene shortly before 6:55 pm. Upon his arrival, he reported a vegetation fire extended into a tree and some plywood that was covering an old irrigation pipe that was threatening high voltage power lines and a wooden structure. Both Engine 31 and Engine 33 arrived shortly thereafter and began fire attack. The fire was quickly put under control and then extinguished shorty thereafter.
The cause of the fire remains unknown however is believed to be an arson. Anyone with information regarding this fire is encouraged to contact Fire Marshal Mark Gomez at 209-669-2119 or by email at MGomez@turlock.ca.us.
On Wednesday, July 8th, 2020, at approximately 9:10 am, the Turlock Fire Department received a call of a gas leak in the 2500 block of Porsche Strasse. The fire department responded with Battalion 4, Squad 32, and Engine 34. Upon Engine 34’s arrival, they reported a line blowing up gas and that they would be starting to evacuate the residents who live nearby. Two nearby businesses, Alfred Matthews Collision located at 2440 N Golden State Blvd and Garton Tractor Inc. located at 2400 N Golden State Blvd were also evacuated.
City crews were working in the area when they accidentally damaged a gas line and caused a leak. Pacific Gas and Electric responded to the scene to secure the leak. The leak was secured at approximately 10:45 am, and residents were allowed back into their residences. Fire units cleared shortly after.
Turlock Area News 