A person was found dead after a house fire in Patterson late Sunday night, and authorities said they believe the fire was arson.<\/p>\n
Fire crews responded around 9:50 p.m. to a fire at a home along Shearwater Drive, the Patterson Fire Department said. When firefighters arrived, they found the home heavily engulfed in flames and smoke.<\/p>\n
Neighbors told crews they believed a resident was still inside the home, prompting firefighters to launch an aggressive fire attack while simultaneously searching the residence.<\/p>\n
The intensity of the fire prevented crews from accessing all areas of the home during the initial search.<\/p>\n
Additional mutual aid resources from several Stanislaus County fire agencies responded to assist after Patterson Fire said crews were already committed to another structure fire when the call came in.<\/p>\n
After the fire was brought under control, officials located one person dead inside the home.<\/p>\n
The Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit said investigators believe the fire was a result of arson. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation.<\/p>\n
Authorities said the cause and origin of the fire remain undetermined.<\/p>\n
The sheriff’s office said an autopsy is scheduled for later this week to help determine the victim’s identity and cause of death.<\/p>\n