Central Fresno apartment building catches fire for second time in two days
Firefighters let flames burn a vacant apartment building in central Fresno on Monday after it caught fire for the second time in two days.
Fresno fire spokesman Robert Castillo said heavy smoke and flames were reported in the attic before firefighters arrived to the apartments on McKinley and Normal avenues.
A black plume was spotted from miles away. Stubborn flames continued to burn even as fire crews poured large amounts of water over the building. East and west lanes of McKinley Avenue were closed to traffic for the investigation.
It’s unknown what started the fire. Castillo said witnesses reported someone staying in the building, but firefighters did not find anyone living inside.
Firefighters had already responded to the building Sunday night for a mattress fire in a different area of the building. One truck responded to that fire compared to five fire trucks that responded Monday, including 27 firefighters, Castillo said.
Department spokesman Hector Vasquez said vacant structure fires in Fresno are up by 29 percent this year and overall structure fires are up by 11 percent.
Castillo could not provide an immediate estimate of monetary damage, but said that Monday’s fire left the apartment building destroyed.
Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado: 559-441-6304, @cres_guez
This story was originally published May 7, 2018 at 8:14 AM with the headline "Central Fresno apartment building catches fire for second time in two days."