Heavy Damage
to Commercial Building
Monday morning, June 14th, the San Bernardino County
Fire Crews were dispatched to a reported commercial structure fire in the San
Bernardino area of West 5th Street and North ‘F’ Street. Multiple 9-1-1
callers reported that smoke was coming from the top of a two-story building.
Firefighters quickly arrived on-scene to find heavy smoke showing
from the second story of the commercial occupancy structure. Arriving Fire Crews
engaged, working to suppress the fire and ensure no occupants were inside the
structure. Due to the size of the structure and amount of fire, a second alarm
response was requested. The fire continued to grow, causing roof compromise,
which forced Firefighters to take a defensive posture.
Once outside, Firefighters used aerial master streams and
handlines to knock the fire down. When it became safe to allow entrance, crews
re-engaged to work on fire suppression and complete a search of the large
occupancy. Ultimately the fire was knocked down within 90 minutes. All searches
of the building came up ‘negative’. Firefighters remained on-scene for multiple
hours working on overhaul and investigation. No injuries to firefighters were
reported. The building, vacant at the time of the fire was heavily damaged.
San Bernardino County Fire responded with 9 Engines, three Trucks,
three Chief Officers, a Training Officer and a Fire Investigator. The Colton Fire
Department assisted with an Fire Engine.