Central Coast News KION/KCBAFlames Torch Vacant Home in Marina

Flames Torch Vacant Home in Marina

MARINA, Calif. - You could see the smoke for miles. Flames torched a vacant home and firefighters say it's costing them time and money they don't have. On Wednesday night, investigators are still trying to figure out what sparked the flames on the former Fort Ord.

For at least four hours, more than 17 firefighters from three different fire agencies have been battling a vacant home fire, when their resources could be used elsewhere.

At 4:15 p.m., firefighters rushed to the scene of a home fully engulfed in flames on the former Fort Ord property. Bob Reehm lives nearby.

"The first thing I saw was police and emergency vehicles coming down," says Reehm. "I was concerned. I thought, well it's near the high school. It's close to the high school. Something is going on."

When firefighters got here, they found an abandoned duplex on fire. The duplex, near Booker and Third, is part of the Cypress Knolls project, a project that's supposed to be a senior housing development.

These homes are supposed to be demolished. But, the project's stalled for years because the cash-strapped city can't find a developer.

"They are just fire traps waiting to happen," says Reehm.

Investigators think transients or children may have caused this fire, but that's still under investigation. A similar fire happened in this fenced-off area last December.

"We are paying for firefighters fighting a fire in a building that's going to get demolished so, in all aspects we are losing money," says Marina Fire Chief Harald Kelley.

Homeowners now just want the area developed sooner, than later.

"It's a waste. It's a waste to go out to a fire, that's destined to be torn down anyway. It's just frustrating," says Reehm.

Submitted by Azenith Smith, Central Coast News