An early-morning fire tore through a two-story Orangevale property Thursday, destroying the main house and several outbuildings. The homeowner, who had lived at the residence for more than 60 years, smelled smoke, stepped outside and called 911. She escaped without injury before crews arrived.
What Happened on Cherry Avenue
Firefighters were dispatched around 3 a.m. to Cherry Avenue near Granite Avenue and arrived to find flames burning through the home, multiple outbuildings, a chicken coop, two vehicles and an RV, according to CBS Sacramento. Metro Fire of Sacramento and the Folsom Fire Department responded and requested additional resources because of the number of structures threatened.
Capt. Mark Nunez told CBS Sacramento that the homeowner "lost everything," and the American Red Cross is assisting with temporary housing, clothing and other immediate needs.
Response and Recovery
Fire crews kept the flames from spreading beyond the property, then moved into salvage and cleanup once the main body of the blaze was knocked down. Recent local coverage shows Orangevale has seen other structure and garage fires this year that required multi-unit responses. For example, KCRA reported a March house fire that drew multiple units. Neighbors and community groups often mobilize to help displaced residents in the hours and days after a loss.
Investigations and Safety Takeaways
The cause of Thursday’s fire remains under investigation. The district's Fire Investigations Unit handles unidentified causes and serious incidents and asks anyone with information to contact its arson tip line, according to the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.
Metro Fire also publishes safety guidance for homeowners on working smoke alarms, dryer safety and clearing combustible material around structures. Officials say those measures are particularly important for older properties with outbuildings and stored vehicles. They stated that they will provide updates as investigators complete their work.
