Photos by Tom Parker
Story by Capt. Dave Whitt
Sacramento City Fire Department

At 9:42 P.M., April 13, the Sacramento Fire Department responded to a report of a lumber pile on fire at the New Home Building Supply at 5310 Franklin Blvd.

An additional report one-minute later stated flames through the roof.

The first arriving fire company, Engine #56, found a building supply store 100' by 200' with fire on the south side of the building and heavy smoke inside the structure.

The building is also a lumber yard and is surrounded by stacks of high piled lumber.

The fire developed very quickly and pushed over the heads of firefighters making an aggressive interior attack through the front door.

Fire conditions changed very rapidly with visiblilty becoming near zero along with a high heat buildup.

A second alarm was called at 9:57 P.M. with a third and fourth alarm at 10:13 P.M. and 10:45 P.M.

The fire was controlled at 1:00 A.M. and firefighters are still on scene using an aerial ladder and several hand lines to extinguish the fire.

The fire, though knocked down, is still burning as of 4:00 A.M.

An investigator for the Sacramento Fire Department has started the process of interviewing, taking statements and examining the physical evidence.

The investigation will continue during daylight hours tomorrow.

The business has been in the same location sinced 1949 and has 35 full-time employees.

The damage totals are not complete but preliminary estimates suggest over $2,000,000.00.

The building was completely destroyed but firefighters were able to save the lumber stacks and furniture store next door.

There was one reported injury to a passerby who complained of minor smoke inhalation.

He was treated at the scene and released.

The response included:

• 12 engines

• 7 trucks

• 2 medics

• and 19 command and support staff

for a total of 82 firefighters. Sacramento Metro Fire sent an engine and a truck for automatic aid.