Blazes occur within hours Saturday at O, I streets

Several buildings, including a day care center and two garages, were damaged by unrelated fires that started within hours of each other Saturday, Benicia Fire Department Division Chief Josh Chadwick said.

The first fire was reported about 5:51 p.m. at a day care center at 470 East O St., Chadwick said. The department initially dispatched Battalion 11, Engine 11, Rescue 11, and Engine 12, and requested help from Vallejo Fire Department, which sent Truck 21, and Engine 24.

When Battalion 11 arrived first and assumed command, firefighters initially saw heavy smoke coming from the two-story day care, Chadwick said.

The crew of Rescue 11 searched the burning structure for any occupants, and firefighters from Engine 11 stretched a hose line to the interior, where they found heavy smoke and flames on the second story and attic, he said.

While Engine 11’s crew — joined by those from Engine 24 — attacked the fire, those from Engine 12 and Truck 21 ascended ladders to the roof, where they cut multiple holes for vertical ventilation, Chadwick said.

Benicia police officers rerouted traffic. Medic Ambulance also was dispatched, but no injuries were reported. Fairfield Fire Department Engine 35 arrived to help in case other fires occurred during the time.

Chadwick said the blaze was confined to the second story and attic. “The fire was knocked down at 6:12 p.m., and reported under control shortly after,” he said. Afterward, the firefighters performed salvage and overhaul duties, he said.

Staff of A Garden of Children day care didn’t respond to requests for interviews by press time.

Chadwick said a second fire, at a house at 669 East I St., was reported at 10:49 p.m. Benicia Engine 11 was the first unit to arrive, and its crew saw heavy smoke and flames from the back of the house.

While firefighters stretched a hose line in preparation for their attack, Rescue 11 went to the alley behind the home, where crew members saw the garage fully engulfed in flames that were reaching a neighbor’s home.

A second alarm was sounded, and Battalion 11 arrived to establish fire command. Crews of Engine 12 began attacking the fire that had reached 677 East I St.

Meanwhile, Vallejo Engines 22 and 24 and Fairfield Engine 35 provided additional support at the fires, while Cordelia Engine 31 gave Benicia additional coverage.

Benicia police helped evacuate the neighborhood and directed traffic around the fire. Medic Ambulance arrived to provide standby service, but no one was hurt in this firefight, either, Chadwick said.

By 11:08 p.m., that fire was knocked down, and was brought under control shortly afterward, Chadwick said.

“The fire caused extensive damage to the garage at 669 East I St., with damage extending to the garage at 677 East I,” he said. Fire also burned a fence and storage shed across the alley, at 664 East J St., he said.

“The fire was contained without extension into any living areas, and no residents were displaced,” Chadwick said.

“The cause of both fires is currently under investigation by the Benicia Fire Department fire investigation unit. The investigation unit is confident that they were unrelated.”