Two-alarm fire burns abandoned central Fresno church

Fresno firefighters were battling a two-alarm blaze Tuesday night at an abandoned building near First Street and Olive Avenue in central Fresno.

The fire was reported about 9:45 p.m. at what fire officials called an abandoned church at 3122 E. Clay Ave., south of Olive Avenue near First Street. Flames engulfed the structure and threatened a home next door on Clay Avenue. Firefighters evacuated the occupants and their two dogs from the home.

More than 45 firefighters were at the blaze, and winds were pushing flames east toward a neighboring house. Clay Avenue was blocked to traffic to allow firefighters to maneuver their trucks.

Homes east of the burning church were in immediate danger and were evacuated, fire Battalion Chief Tony Escobedo said. Fire crews worked to protect surrounding buildings.

Escobedo said firefighters have been at the building half a dozen times within the last six months – most recently just four days ago.

Carlos Adame, who lives next door to the building with his uncle and cousin, said the church building had been abandoned for three years. The alley behind the building gets a lot of traffic from drug users, he added.

Adame said this is the second time in a week that fire threatened the home where he lives. A car that exploded near the area almost caught his house on fire, he said.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 10:38 PM with the headline "Two-alarm fire burns abandoned central Fresno church."