A somber air hangs over Fremont following a tragic fire at the Waterstone Apartments on Bidwell Drive, which claimed the lives of two residents. Lori Long, 62, succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday after an early Sunday blaze led her and another victim, Charlotte Holguin, 54, to leap from a fourth-floor balcony in a desperate escape attempt. The Mercury News reported that Holguin, a Manteca resident who was visiting Long's apartment, died at the scene, while Long passed away later at a hospital.
The fire erupted around 2:53 AM Sunday, prompting a swift response from the Fremont Fire Department. Battling heavy fire conditions, firefighters found multiple residents trapped, with two of them hanging precariously from the balcony. As reported by Hoodline, the fire was controlled by 3:40 AM, with the efforts of 31 personnel and a full complement of equipment.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with officials yet to determine the initial spark. According to KTVU, there were reports of an explosion, though it remains unclear if this was the catalyst for or a result of the fire. Battalion Chief Greg Biddle elaborated on the complexity of determining the root cause, citing common fire-induced explosions from compressed gas cylinders or aerosol bottles.
