June 2, 2021 - Denair, CA - Stanislaus County Sheriff’s detectives and fire investigators are continuing to probe the cause of a fatal fire which claimed the lives of Denair resident Sergio Inostros, 25, Bennet Inostros, 3, and 8-year-old Mason VanWinkle.  

Currently, investigators still have not identified the cause of this devastating fire.  The Sheriff’s Office has received several tips indicating it may have been started by illegal fireworks; however, our investigative team does not believe they were a contributing factor.  This is based upon preliminary findings thus far and what the evidence evaluated to date shows.

Detectives continue to investigate and evaluate all the tips we receive.  A review of our dispatched calls for service in the area indicate only two were related to fireworks on May 29, 2021, between the hours of 11:11 P.M. and 11:42 P.M. The investigation is still on-going, and the evidence and findings of our investigation will continue to evolve.   

We ask for continued patience as our case further develops.  Determining cause and origin of the fire, as well as awaiting final conclusive test results from the Coroner’s Office, will take additional time spanning weeks if not months.  The public can contact case agent Detective Gonzalez by calling 209-595-8686 if they have new witness information to share.

Source: Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department

Related: Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Reports Three Die in Denair, California House Fire