Firefighters battle two-alarm fire in Fresno’s Tower District

Flames and black smoke erupted skyward early Sunday as an apparently empty building caught fire in Fresno’s Tower District.

The structure caught fire shortly before 9 a.m. on East Olive Avenue near North Calaveras Street. Arriving firefighters quickly called for more help and declared it a two-alarm fire. Pacific Gas & Electric workers were also called in to ensure that gas lines were cut to the building as flames engulfed the building, which appeared to be a total loss,

Battalion Chief Keola Park said firefighters have been to the building several times in the past in response of fire reports there. He said it is possible that the structure was frequented by homeless occupants in the past. Because of the intensity of the fire, Park said the decision was made not to endanger firefighters by attempting to enter the building.

This story was originally published April 16, 2023 at 9:58 AM.