Subject: Apartment complex fire in Delano

DELANO, CA – Sunday, March 30th at approximately 11:03 A.M., a call was
received by the Kern County Fire Department for a structure fire in the
700 block of Freemont Street in Delano. 28 Kern County Firefighters and
members of other services responded to the incident. Their quick actions
prevented any major structural damage to the complex and kept the fire
from spreading to adjacent properties. The fire was under control within
24 minutes.

Upon arrival, crews were faced with a developing fire at the rear of the
8 unit apartment complex with smoke and flames billowing from the door
and window of one of the units. One fire crew entered the apartment to
extinguish the fire; simultaneously a second crew ventilated the roof.
Other fire crews went through all of the other units to check for fire
spread and ensure that the occupants were safely evacuated.  Fire crews
were able to save approximately $160,000.00 in property value. However,
the fire destroyed an estimated $40,000.00 of contents and property.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

A total of 8 families have been displaced by the fire, Red Cross have
been informed.