FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A massive warehouse fire sent pillars of smoke into the sky over downtown Fresno and sparked concern that there may have been a malicious start to the flames.
A massive warehouse fire sent pillars of smoke into the sky over downtown Fresno and sparked concern that there may have been a malicious start to the flames (FOX26).
Firefighters arrived just after 3 p.m., on Thursday, May 4, to find the warehouse, near L Street and Hamilton, already engulfed in flames.
“When firefighters arrived, they found a warehouse that was fully involved with fire, already through the roof,” Josh Sellers, Fresno Fire Department spokesman, said.
The fire destroyed what had been used as the Screaming Demons Motorcycle Club office.
Club member Dennis Lucas said the loss was devastating.
“We lost everything, years and years of our club history, everything,” he said.
Lucas described a frantic effort to save motorcycles before the fire overtook the building.
The fire destroyed what had been used as the Screaming Demons Motorcycle Club office (PHOTO: PHOTOJOURNALIST RONNIE GERBER).
“(A member) was in there and he smelled the smoke and it just started seeping through the walls. Then he just started grabbing motorcycles, pushing them out back and then by then he said he got two of them out and then after that, it was already too late,” Lucas said. “They had to get out because it was just engulfing flames.”
Firefighters also faced hazards beyond the flames.
“During the incident, we had power lines that were compromised. Had pressurized metal cylinders that were exploding,” Sellers said. “It caused firefighters to back out and take a defensive approach based on that and the amount of fire that was already showing in the building.”
Neighbors watched as ash and smoke billowed through the street. No one who got out needed medical attention.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation, but the building’s manager alleged it was intentionally set and said he had received threats before the fire (PHOTO: PHOTOJOURNALIST RONNIE GERBER).
The cause of the fire remained under investigation, but the building’s manager alleged it was intentionally set and said he had received threats before the fire.
“It was definitely arson. (An unnamed person) said they’re going to burn it. (An unnamed person) been stripping the building for the last three weeks. All the coolers, all the electrical, stealing power off my side,” Jason Ankey, the manager of the burned building, said.
Sellers said investigators were working to determine what happened.
“We investigate all fires. Fire investigators are here right now collecting statements from witnesses. They’re going to be canvassing the area for any kind of surveillance footage and as well as investigating the building, trying to determine what the cause and origin actually was,” he said.
PG&E also arrived to address issues involving the power lines, and the railway in the area was shut down for a period of time.
For the motorcycle club, Lucas said the building held irreplaceable items and memories.
“All of our dead brothers, we have their patches hanging up on the wall. Those are all gone whenever we get back. All of our trophies, plaques, every event that we ever did. Urns, everything,” he said.