Fire officials estimate damages and loss from the blaze that leveled the County Roads Department Building Sunday morning in Tuolumne City will hit the $1-million mark.
Firefighters needed about an hour to contain the blaze in the 2,500 square-foot structure. Fire crews arrived shortly after 10:30 a.m. to find the 1930´s vintage building fully engulfed in flames. A total of seven vehicles and miscellaneous parts were lost. Crews kept the fire from spreading to nearby auxiliary buildings and a propane tank. They got some help from neighbors at the scene, who provided Gatorade and other liquids to keep the crew hydrated.
Thirty-three firefighters from Tuolumne City Fire Protection District, Tuolumne County Fire, Twain Harte Fire and CDF worked the blaze.
Fire Department Spokesperson Deborah Fish says another $2-million was saved by protecting the adjacent buildings, including the Tuolumne City Branch of the County Library. No one was hurt. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 5:27 pm