Massive warehouse fire breaks out in Stockton californiaThick black smoke billowed across the city Friday afternoon. Crews are extinguishing a fire at a historic building near Stockton’s waterfront.
Heavy smoke and smoke were reported at the building near North Harrison Street and West Lindsay Street in San Joaquin County, where officials confirmed flames had breached the roof of the single-story building.
The Stockton Fire Department upgraded the incident to a third alarm as crews worked to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings. Firefighters deployed a ladder truck and multiple engine companies to attack the blaze from above while working to contain the blaze within the warehouse.
What’s burning in Stockton?
The building appears to be the former Stockton Steel Works building, CBS reported.
The property has been home to several manufacturing companies over the years. Carando Technologies Inc. later operated at the site and left in 2015, according to local history.
EPA records show the old Stockton Steel Mill property has been reviewed under the federal Superfund program but is not on the national priorities list.
Smoke visible over Stockton
Thick smoke could still be seen in much of Stockton and neighboring communities in the afternoon, according to social media and KCRA reports.
The incident was upgraded to a third-alarm fire after the fire spread to the roof, according to an emergency dispatch update shared by AlertPage. Dispatch reports also indicate that a portion of the roof on Charlie’s side collapsed.
A third alarm typically brings in more firefighters, engines, ladder trucks and command staff from neighboring agencies. When an incident of this magnitude occurs, mutual aid resources are typically dispatched to augment firefighting operations.
The Stockton Fire Department said its first priority was to prevent the fire from spreading to warehouses and commercial properties surrounding the industrial area. Video broadcast by KCRA showed firefighters using aerial ladders to pour water on the burning roof as smoke continued to rise into the sky.
Officials had no immediate reports of injuries to firefighters or civilians. As of the latest update, no evacuation orders have been issued.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
