WATSONVILLE—One person was injured and roughly 88 people were displaced in a two-alarm structure fire that broke out at the Wall Street Inn in downtown Watsonville today shortly after 1pm.
Rosa Meyer, administrative analyst for the Watsonville Fire Department, said that firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the room of origin, however, there was significant water damage to the third and fourth floors. There was also damage to the rest of the building’s water system.
The initial cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation.
Power has been shut off, and residents from 72 apartments at the 30 West Beach St. complex have been displaced until further notice. The Red Cross was called in to help find temporary housing for evacuees.
An individual who suffered “significant” injuries during the incident was flown to a trauma center. Another person was treated at the scene by paramedics and released.
Watsonville Fire, Aptos/La Selva Fire, Central Fire, North Monterey County Fire, CalFire, Pajaro Valley Fire District, Felton Fire and Santa Cruz City Fire joined forces in response to the incident.
Meyer credited the departments’ mutual aid agreement for allowing such a quick, thorough response.
“Not all our agencies can respond to everything at once,” she said, “so in times like these we all come together to help.”
Watsonville Police Department officers were also on scene to aid firefighters and direct traffic. Rodriguez Street and surrounding streets were blocked off and a fire commander center was set up in the parking lot in front of CVS Pharmacy.
This story will be updated as more information is available.
