1 person found dead after mobile home fire in Yokuts Valley, officials say

YOKUTS VALLEY, Calif. (KFSN) -- One person has been found dead following a mobile home fire in Yokuts Valley.

Just after 5:20 am Monday, CAL FIRE responded to Otter Lane across from George Smith Road in Yokuts Valley, where they found a 5th wheel completely engulfed.

"The fire had already spread to some debris near the mobile home as well as a grass area," explained CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Seth Brown.

Fifteen firefighters, four fire engines and a water tender worked for 40 minutes to get the flames under control.

Once they were able to go inside the home, they found the bodies of a person and an animal in the rubble.

Few details were available initially as authorities worked to figure out who the person was and how they died.

While the cause of this fire is still under investigation, Brown says this time of year, they see an increase in fires caused by people trying to stay warm.

"We do want to remind the public to keep any flammable material at least 3 feet away from any space heater or permanent home heater. Don't stack any flammable materials near or on the heater, and please keep pets and children at least three feet away from the heater as well," said Brown.

Investigators are unsure if the 5th wheel had a working smoke detector inside, but they're encouraging everyone to check their smoke detector to make sure it works.

If you're unsure, you should be able to press the reset button on it, and it should release a few beeps.

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