Top stories: Bodies discovered in vault; safe hospitals in Fresno; West Nile virus concerns
Monday brought a mix of developing news across Fresno County, including a deadly underground fire downtown, fresh patient safety grades for area hospitals, a notable commercial property hitting the market and a public health warning as mosquito season ramps up.
Readers tracking local headlines will find updates on safety, real estate and a tragic incident that disrupted parts of downtown. Here are the top stories of the day from The Fresno Bee.
We assemble this list each evening, so you can get caught up on the top Fresno Bee stories of the day
Two bodies found in underground vault in downtown Fresno, fire chief says
Two people died Monday after a fire broke out inside a utility vault beneath the H Street bridge in downtown Fresno. Fire Chief Billy Alcorn said crews coordinated with PG&E to shut off power before entering the confined space, where investigators believe members of the unhoused community had been living among blankets and debris. The California Highway Patrol is leading the investigation. Click here for full story.
These are the safest hospitals in Fresno area, report says. Is yours on the list?
Adventist Health Selma and Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center earned “A” grades for patient safety in The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2026 report. Community Regional Medical Center, Clovis Community Medical Center and Saint Agnes Medical Center each received “C” grades. Nearly 40% of California hospitals scored A’s, placing the state among the 10 safest in the nation. Click here for full story.
Downtown Fresno building selling for $2.6 million. It was a bank previously
The former BMO Bank building at Van Ness Avenue and Fresno Street is listed at $2.6 million. Built in 1967, the six-story, 47,040-square-foot property features mid-century modern architecture and large glass windows. BMO closed its downtown branch in October 2025, just two years after entering the Fresno market. Click here for full story.
‘Perfect’ spring weather for mosquitoes. What to know about West Nile virus
Recent rain followed by warmer weather has created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, raising West Nile virus concerns across California. The state recorded 113 confirmed human cases in 2025, including 11 deaths. Health officials urge residents to use insect repellent, eliminate standing water and wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk. Click here for full story.
Original stories by Anthony Galaviz, Alexiah Syrai Olsen, B.J. Anteola and Don Sweeney
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence based on our own originally reported, written and published content. Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.
This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 6:23 PM.
.jpg)