Separate fires damage homes on same steet in Avenal

Homes in Avenal seem to be catching fire at an alarming rate this week as two houses on opposite ends of Merced Street caught fire between Sunday and Monday within a few hours of each other. The first, and more intensive, blaze began just after 10 p.m. on Sunday night, when an unknown source sparked a home attic fire in the 400 block of East Merced Street.