On May 20, 2003 at 0438, the Fresno City Fire Department responded to what was reported as an apartment building on fire. The report came from neighbors in nea by apartments who could see flames and feel radiant heat.
Upon arrival of the 1st engine the report came of a three-story vacant apartment building under construction that was fully involved with flames coming from the ground level through the 3rd floor roof and extending upwards of 30 feet of the roof line.
The radiant heat was extreme and very intense threatening nearby occupied units as far as 100 feet away. Nearby parked cars were melted from the heat. The fire spread throughout the complex rapidly due to the exposure of raw lumber used in the building materials.
A second and third alarm were requested. Exposure protection was given priority and residence of nearby apartment complexes were evacuated. Multiple master streams were placed in service on all four sides of the complex.
Water surges were becoming a factor due to heavy demand on the water system. The complex it self was a total loss. Several apartments and vehicles in the vicinity were also damaged from the intense heat.
The cause of the fire is being investigated. There were no fatalities and only four moderate injuries to Firefighting personnel reported. 73 firefighting personnel, 18 engines and four trucks from Fresno and the surrounding areas were called to duty.
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