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Trash can fire ignites garage, gas meter
turlock fire truck

A fire that started in a trash can spread to the garage of a Turlock residence and ignited a gas meter, the Turlock Fire Department reported.

The fire department was able to keep the fire contained to the garage and no injuries were reported.

The fire was first reported around 2:30 a.m. Thursday in the 3400 block of N. Berkeley Avenue. It was initially called in as a trash can that was burning next to a residence.

First arriving crews reported fire and smoke showing from the garage and side yard of a large single-story residence. The call was upgraded to a working structure fire and crews made an attack that contained the fire to the garage area.

The fire caused damage to a PG&E natural gas meter causing it to ignite. Crews carefully approached the meter and were able to shut the gas off allowing them to safely extinguish the flames.

Turlock City Fire Department responded with three engines, Squad 32, a battalion chief and the fire marshal. Ceres Fire Department provided one engine and a battalion chief as part of the resource sharing agreement and Turlock Rural Fire Department provided city coverage throughout the incident.

Two adults and five children were displaced as a result of the fire and Red Cross is providing assistance to them.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Any information regarding this incident should be directed to Fire Marshal Mark Gomez at 209-669-2119 or mgomez@turlock.ca.us.