It was a very loud wake-up call for people living on the 500 block of Saratoga Street when the tree fell just after 6 a.m. No one was injured but nerves were rattled.
"I was scared," said Ida Patino of Fillmore. "I thought it was an earthquake."
Juan Marquez says the tree was in the backyard of his sister's rental home. He says his sister felt the tree was dying and pleaded with the city to allow her to cut it down, but the city refused.
Marquez also said the city told his sister that the tree was historic, but Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros said he was unable to confirm that information.
Crews worked to restore power to residents and haul away the debris. Officials do not have a damage estimate.
