Fire destroys Civil War-era home in Downtown Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- One of Fresno's historic properties was destroyed by a fire in Downtown Fresno on Saturday.

The Nestel House on L Street and Calaveras caught fire around 6:30 p.m. The house was built during the Civil War era, and the flames spread quickly from the attic all the way to the basement.

When firefighters arrived the house was already involved. They were able to rescue a small dog from inside but quickly had to change their firefighting approach for safety concerns.

"Some of those hazards that we talked about: we have three cantilever-type fireplaces; they're unsupported and they're built out of brick with limestone-type of mortar so they collapse very easily. Those if they fall down on any of the firefighters or on any personnel out here, it would be sure death," said Battalion Chief Chuck Tobias with the Fresno Fire Department.

Crews don't know what caused the fire. They say because the damage is so extensive, any evidence into what started it may also be destroyed.