MANTECA, Calif. — Several houses were destroyed early Thursday when a fire broke out in a new subdivision that was under construction in Manteca.
Firefighters arrived to find 30 to 40 foot flames and a massive plume of smoke billowing up from the construction site near Memorial Lane and Heartland Drive at around 5:23 a.m., said Manteca Fire Marshall Lantz Rey.
At least four houses were involved, all of which were under construction. No injuries were reported.
Two other model homes caught fire two blocks away on Woodward Ave just over a week ago.
"It was June 23rd, very similar, two model homes under construction," explained Rey. "That one has been determined to be arson. We're further along in that one because that obviously happened two weeks ago. This one we haven't made that connection yet, and we're not jumping to that conclusion."
Still, those who live nearby said the similarities are striking.
"I mean it's too much of a coincidence," said neighbor Vincent Lopez. "I mean between those there and coming back here, because there's nothing else up front there anymore since those two burnt down."
The City of Manteca has called in Cal Fire and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm team (ATF) to investigate. Rey said the investigation will continue for several days and is considered suspicious. He added that some possibilities have already been ruled out.
"We've ruled out so far in the process natural causes - no lightning [or] things like that," said Rey. "There was no utilities in any of these homes - no gas, no electric. And, so we're working our way through the process."
Rey said fireworks are a possibility.