Sanger-area home burns

House paid for, but no fire insurance.

By Louis Galvan / The Fresno Bee

03/07/07 05:27:39

A fire Tuesday that destroyed a farmhouse northwest of Sanger started in a water heater at the rear of the structure, Fresno County Fire Protection District officials reported.

The amount of the loss was estimated at between $150,000 and $200,000.

Owner Pao Moua, 71, said the house was paid for, but he did not have any fire insurance.

The fire was reported at 11 a.m. at 8421 E. Church Ave., just west of Leonard Avenue.

Moua said he was working in a field south of the house when he saw smoke coming from the roof and ran to the house to investigate.

His wife, Pa Xiong, had gone to the store and no one else was at home, he said. The couple live alone.

"We're just glad no one was hurt," said a brother, Kevin Moua, 46, of Fresno. "They're lucky this did not happen at night when they could've been sleeping."

Kevin Moua said his brother and his sister-in-law would be staying with him until they figure out what else to do.

Capt. Mike Bowman, a fire spokesman, said five engines and a water tender were dispatched to the blaze.

He said firefighters were able to enter the burning house and drag out some property.

About 30 minutes after fighting the fire, however, firefighters were forced to pull away for a few minutes when the sounds of rifle ammunition were heard exploding inside one of the rooms.

After huddling with Pao Moua on the type of ammunition and the amount, firefighters resumed battling the blaze.

The reporter can be reached at lgalvan@fresnobee.com or(559) 441-6139.