A structure fire destroyed the old Fresno morgue building Tuesday morning.
The Fresno Fire Department responded at 7:20 a.m. to the blaze at 7:20 a.m. at Neilsen and Teilman avenues and found the building fully engulfed in flames.
Fresno Fire spokesman Josh Sellers said it was a vacant two-story commercial building that had heavy fire inside the building when fire crews arrived.
He said both floors were already compromised.
Part of the building collapsed as firefighters were dousing the building.
At least 36 firefighters were working the fire, Sellers said.
A large plume of smoke could be seen for miles and drifted to Madera.
No injuries were reported.
Pershing High, located across the street, was evacuated.
The morgue was housed for many years at the Teilman address before moving to 3333 E. American Ave. The building housed an animal shelter.
Firefighters stand by as a portion of a wall falls at the former Fresno County Coroner’s building burning Tuesday morning, Sept. 24, 2024 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Shafts of light cut through the smoke as the former Fresno County Coroner’s building burns Tuesday morning, Sept. 24, 2024 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Firefighters respond as the former Fresno County Coroner’s building burns Tuesday morning, Sept. 24, 2024 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Firefighters stand by as a portion of a wall falls at the former Fresno County Coroner’s building burning Tuesday morning, Sept. 24, 2024 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology. Support my work with a digital subscription
