Structure Fire and Vegetation Fire in Rural Gilroy

UPDATED 10:16 a.m. on Wednesday. Both fires are still under active investigation. More information will be released once the possible cause or contributing factors are confirmed.

A vegetation fire fueled by burning grass and cow pies consumed 10 acres of land near the area of Bloomfield Avenue and Frasier Lake Road, according to Captain Brandon Leitzke of Cal Fire.

In total, it took seven engines, one bulldozer and a Cal Fire helicopter dropping water over the area to contain the fire.

Leitzke said fire crews will probably be on scene for around another hour extinguishing the smoldering cow pies. None of the cows were injured, however.

Cal Fire was dispatched at 12:02 p.m., and was able to contain the fire by 12:44 p.m. with the help of South County Fire and Gilroy Fire Departments.

An investigator is currently heading over to the scene to determine the cause of the fire, which is unknown at this time.

Structure Fire

A structure fire at 2545 Dunlap Avenue on the East side of Gilroy caused substantial damage to a residence, Leitzke said.

Leitzke said the fire was located mainly in the attic, and burnt the contents of the house as well as the structure.

Fire crews were dispatched to the residence at 9:50 a.m., and were able to contain the fire within 30 minutes with the aid of six fire engines and two battalion chiefs.

Gilroy Fire, Santa Clara County Fire and South County Fire departments assisted, Leitzke said.

Information regarding the occupants of the house was limited at the time of contact, but Leitzke said the damage was enough to displace the residents, although they didn't ask for housing assistance from Red Cross. 

Fire crews are currently on scene cleaning up, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.