The only people still at home on Thursday morning at the Buena Vista Migrant Center in Watsonville were a handful of latchkey kids. Their parents, migrant agricultural workers, had all gone off to work, in the fields, some of them as far away as Arizona. Then a fire erupted in one of the three bedroom apartments, which was empty. It spread quickly to a neighboring apartment, where only a 14-year-old girl was home. Local and county firefighters struggled to put out the blaze, but when they were done, the duplex and everything in it were destroyed.
The only people still at home on Thursday morning at the Buena Vista Migrant Center in Watsonville were a handful of latchkey kids. Their parents, migrant agricultural workers, had all gone off to work, in the fields, some of them as far away as Arizona. Then a fire erupted in one of the three-bedroom apartments, which was empty. It spread quickly to a neighboring apartment, where only a 14-year-old girl was home. Local and county firefighters struggled to put out the blaze, but when they were done, the duplex and everything in it were destroyed.
Firefighters believe that the problem was caused by faulty electrical wiring, and have ruled out foul play. The Housing Authority, which owns the homes, is conducting its own investigation to determine the precise cause. Of course, it could be faulty construction as well. Established in the 1960s, the Migrant Center consists of 50 duplexes built of plywood and Styrofoam. It was only intended to stand for five years, but four decades and one renovation later, more than 100 families call it home from May to November every year.
The displaced family will be relocated to a hotel until alternative housing arrangements can be found. The Red Cross is collecting donations to replace the property lost in the flames. Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
