MorganHillTimes.com | Fire rips through ranch in north MH

Fire rips through ranch in north MH

Jun 6, 2009
By Natalie Everett - Staff Writer





		Erica Sanchez, 29, and Elizabeth Sanchez, 25, console each other as firefighters attempt to control a multi-structure fire on their family's land on Dougherty Avenue on Saturday.
		Photo by: Natalie Everett








		A firefighter battles a multi-structure blaze on Dougherty Avenue on Saturday.
		Photo by: Natalie Everett








		A Cal Fire helicopter dumps 300 gallons on a 10-acre lot Saturday.
		Photo by: Natalie Everett

The scene unfolding over the 10-acre ranch was chaotic Saturday afternoon as firefighting crews from five agencies battled a three-alarm fire there that blew plumes of black smoke in the air above north Morgan Hill.

A spooked white horse ran from the south to the north end of the former farm at 514 Dougherty Ave., owned by the Sanchez family. Chickens scattered, clucking, frantic from the sound of the Cal Fire helicopter flying overhead, dumping load after load of water, 300 gallons each, trying to calm the flames.

Five agencies responded with 20 pieces of fire equipment, Cal Fire Operations Chief Mike Marcucci said. The first engine was on scene by about 4:30 p.m., he said.

"It was a very big deal, at first," Marcucci said, adding that they didn't know if there was anyone inside any of the burning buildings, and the buildings were already "fully involved" when the first engine responded sometime between 4 and 5 p.m.

At least 80 firefighters combated the flames, braving popping ammunition, propane tanks and car tires amid the veritable junk yard. A power line was down, too, causing Cal Fire to rope off the area with black-and-yellow tape, forbidding even firefighters from entering the zone.

Marcucci said the worst case scenario would have been winds pushing the fire east to the neighboring lumber yard, fueling the fire further, and of course the subdivisions to the south.

"We were fortunate enough to have a mowed field," Marcucci said of the south side of the property. "It's always a struggle to get fire engines here as fast as we can."

As of 6 p.m., Marcucci estimated that the responding engines from Cal Fire, Santa Clara County Fire Department, San Jose and Gilroy fire departments and County Fire had used 12,000 gallons of water fighting the blaze. The typical house fire uses about 2,000 gallons, he said.

The Sanchez family of five siblings was in hysterics, pointing fingers of blame and naming the belongings that were lost in the fire that claimed no human injuries or lives, but took down a 2,000-square-foot, 100-year-old redwood barn, three horse trailers and four to five vehicles. Some of the family live in one of the many homes on the property, none of which were damaged.

"My pigs, my goats!" Erica Sanchez cried between sobs.

"My Harley, my Corvette, antiques, songbooks," Mario Sanchez lamented. Sanchez's home was the only one of six homes lost in the blaze.

"No insurance, no insurance, oh my god..." Ruben Sanchez exclaimed.

By about 7:30 p.m., the scene had calmed. There were few hot spots left, and the Sanchezes and firefighters corralled four goats and four pigs to a less smoky section of the property.

"I'm just thankful that everyone's okay," Erica Sanchez said.

"That's just the way it goes," Ruben Sanchez said.

Mario Sanchez said he was in a storage room next to the barn when he heard popping sounds. When he exited the storage room, the barn was already fully engulfed. He wore no shirt, and was missing a shoe, as he listed the items of his lost.

The cause of the fire was unknown, but Ruben Sanchez suspected that a lit cigarette butt was tossed carelessly on the ground inside the barn or near it. Marcucci said they won't know the cause of the blaze for another two days.

Ruben Sanchez said his family has owned the land for more than 30 years. He estimated that thousands of dollars worth of tools were in the barn, as was his 1968 Pontiac Firebird.

Erica Sanchez said her life was flashing before her eyes.

"Even though we're all okay, it's just sad. All those memories," she said.

Natalie Everett

Natalie Everett
Natalie Everett is the education and city reporter for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106, ext. 201, or neverett@morganhilltimes.com.