Crime & Safety
Elderly Man Rescued From His Hercules Home After Fire Breaks Out
A motorist passing by saw the flames, went inside the house and helped the man to safety
By Bay City News Service
An elderly man was rescued from a Hercules home Saturday afternoon by a passer-by after a fire started in the garage, fire officials said.
The fire at the home on Lupine Road was reported around 1:30 p.m. and
firefighters could see smoke before they arrived on the scene, said Rodeo-Hercules Fire District Battalion Chief Brian Lowry.
The garage of the home was fully involved in flames, which had spread into the attic and living area and into the eaves and roof of the house next door when firefighters reached the scene.
An elderly resident was rescued from the home before firefighters arrived by a 29-year-old Hercules resident who saw the fire as he was driving by, Lowry said.
The passer-by forced entry through the front door, found the resident and led him to safety. Both were uninjured, Lowry said.
Firefighters brought the fire under control after about 40 minutes. Damage was estimated at $100,000.
Two people were displaced and are receiving temporary housing from the American Red Cross, Lowry said.
The fire's cause is under investigation, but it is believed to have started in the engine compartment of a 1999 Honda sedan in the garage, Lowry said.
The home is on the same block as a house that was seriously damaged on Thursday afternoon when a 18-year-old Pinole man lost control of his car on Lupine Road and smashed into the residence.
Police say the man was fleeing from police when he crashed.
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