Stockton homeowners concerned after fire on railway property damages their homes

STOCKTON – A fire has left some Stockton homeowners searching through the rubble of their homes and garages.

Now the question is who is responsible for all the damage?

Stockton firefighters said they are still investigating what happened to start a fire that damaged two homes and destroyed two outbuildings.

But neighbors say encampments and tents covered the area and they believe a homeless person started the fire.

Joel Peña searches through what remains of his garage, now reduced to ashes.

“Things that kids loved to collect,” he said. “I lost my military uniforms.”

Things considered invaluable to Peña are now reduced to ashes.

“I'm frustrated, I'm a little upset, I mean, I'm still in shock,” he said.

CBS13 was on scene when the fire was put out Wednesday afternoon.

Officials said the fire started behind these homes on Stanford Avenue, but windy conditions and dry brush fueled the flames.

Peña said encampments were set up just across their yard.

“Most of the time they're homeless, they have the gate there, they leave it open,” Peña said..

This door is now closed after this fire. But Peña said it’s not just about encampment.

The owners said this fire could have been avoided. The land behind their homes is owned by Union Pacific and they say it hasn't been taken care of for months.

“They know people live here, they should know. It doesn't cost much to pay someone to do it in a day,” he said.

San Joaquin County confirmed with CBS13 that the fire bureau received several complaints from property owners earlier in May and they determined the property was a fire hazard.

On May 20, nine days before this fire, Union Pacific received a final abatement notice to take care of the growing vegetation.

Union Pacific sent CBS13 the following statement:

“Union Pacific is investigating whether this fire occurred on UP property. Community members can notify Union Pacific of non-emergency incidents, including vegetation near UP tracks, at this webpage: UP: Response Management Communication Center (RMCC) Our team is investigating this incident and the need for cleanup around the mentioned area.

This is when Peña has to pick up the pieces.

“The movie collection, the DVD collection is gone,” he said, looking at his destroyed garage.

San Joaquin County said that after that fire, Union Pacific announced it would send a crew to finally take care of the vegetation here.