By Mary Weston
The Chico Enterprise-Record (California)
OROVILLE, Calif. — Multiple fires ignited after midnight Monday in the foothills east of Oroville, consuming about 10 acres of vegetation and a two-story house, according to fire authorities.
Joshpae White of Cal Fire-Butte County said residents in the area reported an explosion at a house on Oro Quincy Highway at Meadowview Drive at about 12:20 p.m.
When Cal Fire engines arrived, flames had engulfed the house and burned into vegetation on both sides of Oro Quincy Highway.
“We quickly found there were multiple fires,” White said.
Fire had also ignited in vegetation near Olive Highway and Arbol Drive. About 20 structures were threatened by fire, so other fire agencies were called in.
Cal Fire, the Oroville Fire Department and El Medio Fire District all sent resources to the fire, which was contained at about 1:46 a.m., White said. The Chico Fire Department sent crews to staff the Oroville fire station, while OPD firefighters fought the fire.
The fire was in the jurisdictions both the city of Oroville and Cal Fire.
The threatened structures were all saved, and no one was injured. No one lived in the two-story house destroyed by the fire.
“We had a pretty heavy commitment of resources, but it really paid off in the end,” White said.
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