Large Commercial Building Occupancy 

Destroyed in San Bernardino Fire

  


Note: According to San Bernardino County Fire Battalion Chief Mike McClintock,

the building that burned was previously the Scottish Rite; also a Masonic Lodge as well.

Saturday evening, March 13, 2022, San Bernardino County Fire Crews were dispatched to a reported commercial fire near University and Interstate-215 in San Bernardino. Firefighters quickly arrived to find heavy smoke showing from a large two-story commercial occupancy.

Firefighters initiated an offensive fire attack, finding heavy smoke inside the 28,000 square foot building. The building previously burned in 2021, sustaining damage to a portion of the building. Despite the fire damage and being vacant, firefighters pushed inside to complete a search for any potential victims. The fire continued to build and a second alarm was quickly struck. As interior conditions deteriorated, an operational retreat was declared bringing firefighters outside.

Firefighters transitioned to a defensive posture, utilizing ladder pipes and master streams to suppress the fire. The fire was ultimately knocked down in approximately 90 minutes. The Fire-crews remained on-scene for multiple hours working on fire suppression and overhaul.

No victims were found inside the structure and no injuries were reported to civilians. One firefighter received minor injuries. The fire remains under investigation by San Bernardino County Fire Department Investigators.

San Bernardino County Fire responded with Nine Engines, three Truck Companies, three Chief Officers, an Air/Light Unit, Ambulance, two Investigators, and a Heavy Equipment team. Rialto Fire Crews also assisted with a Fire Engine.