A pair of multi-alarm commercial fires erupted nearly simultaneously—and just blocks apart—early this morning in downtown San Bernardino. The resulting response from San Bernardino County Fire and partnering agencies brought two stubborn fires under control and saved multiple exposed properties.
The first fire started at around 6:15 this morning in a pallet yard on the 100 South block of E Street. With a large column of dark smoke visible across the city, crews arrived on scene to find fire threatening several adjacent business, vehicles and equipment. An offensive strategy was initiated, with elevated ladder streams knocking down fire from above while engine companies stretched hand lines into the yard’s interior.
Minutes into the fire attack, another smoke column became visible just up the street; resources responding to the pallet yard fire were diverted, reporting heavy dark smoke and fire pouring from the second story of a boarded-up commercial structure at E and Fourth Streets. Crews made entry up to the second floor, where they found fire had extended into the attic. Truck companies were deployed to the roof to coordinate ventilation.
Each incident was balanced to a second alarm response.
The construction of the 20,000 square foot Fourth Street building, originally a Woolworth’s department store and nearly 100 years old, presented challenges for crews working to access the seat of the fire. Hose streams were eventually directed from both inside the structure and on the roof.
The pallet yard fire was declared under control in approximately 45 minutes, while the commercial structure was contained in about 90. In each case, firefighters kept fire from spreading to adjacent buildings and businesses. Overhaul and mop-up operations continued for 1-2 hours on each fire.
Primary and secondary searches found the structure unoccupied, and no injuries were reported on either fire.
County Fire’s response included engine and truck companies from across San Bernardino as well as Fontana. On the pallet fire, SBCoFD dozers were utilized as well. Other responding agencies included the Colton and Rialto Fire Departments. Riverside City Fire and Loma Linda Fire responded to cover County Fire Stations.
Both fires are under investigation by County Fire’s Office of the Fire Marshall.
Additional video credit: @thecadhound