Vacant, fire-ravaged Hess Village building demolished

Vacant, fire-ravaged Hess Village building demolished

The building at 33 Hess St. S. was damaged in several recent fires and declared unsafe.

After series of fires, Merced plans new rules for vacant properties

Reading Time: 5 minutes After a series of commercial fires torched thrift shops, a furniture store, and a long-abandoned historic building, Merced leaders are drafting an ordinance to reduce fire risks associated with vacant properties. In the past two years, at least six fires have hit commercial buildings across the city. Some were accidental. Others remain under investigation. Together, they’ve caused more than $6.8 million in property losses…