FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Firefighters responded early Friday to a commercial building fire in central Fresno, the third fire in less than three weeks in the same area, according to Fresno fire officials.
Crews were called to the scene at 4:14 a.m. after reports of light smoke showing from the eaves of the A&T Ceramic Tile building.
Firefighters encountered a downed power line in an alley but were able to make entry and extinguish a small fire inside the structure.
One sprinkler head activated and helped keep the fire in check, fire officials said. Combustible materials inside the tile shop, including cardboard and wood, were a concern, though much of the material in the building was tile. No injuries were reported.
The latest fire follows two others nearby in recent weeks.
Two weeks ago, a vacant Carl’s Jr. at Blackstone and McKinley went up in flames, drawing about three dozen firefighters who worked through the night to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
Last weekend, the former Star Stucco Products building ignited and eventually collapsed.
All three fires remain under investigation.
Because of the repeated incidents, questions have been raised about whether the fires are suspicious.
Fresno Fire Deputy Chief Devin McGuire said investigators are examining all possibilities.
“You know what it’s hard to say, every incident is unique and specific,” McGuire said. “We’re looking at every possible avenue into these fires. Our investigators are working diligently try and determine a cause. The challenge is we have some vacant properties that creates some challenges.”
The affected buildings are among at least 17 vacant properties controlled by the city. Officials purchased some and took others through eminent domain ahead of a major project to reroute railroad crossings.
Fresno police have increased patrols and are monitoring the vacant sites, though the city continues to experience break-ins.
On Wednesday, Action News spoke with Art Terzian, who runs A&T Ceramic Tile with his son, Tony. Terzian said he feared something like this would happen and that a fire at the property would be devastating.
“I’m thinking I’m going to be next,” Art Terzian told Action News.
“This is our inventory, our livelihood,” Tony said. “We spent a lifetime building this up.”
The Terzians are battling the city in court and said 2,900 pallets of tile remain inside the building after City Hall took control of the property. A trial is set for the fall.
PG&E was called to the scene because of the downed power line, and code enforcement is expected to return to resecure the building.
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