STOCKTON, CA — A six-alarm fire just south of downtown Stockton early Tuesday caused damage in the millions of dollars, created a major electrical power outage and sent one firefighter to the hospital.
Firefighters responded about 3 a.m. to the 200 and 300 blocks of West Scotts Avenue and quickly realized they had a major challenge on their hands with high-voltage power lines running through the rear of the properties.
At least two or three power poles carrying 150 and 60 kilovolt transmission lines came down, causing a widespread blackout in the city and making it dangerous for firefighters to access the fire, according to Fire Chief Erik Newman.
The blackout impacted more than 15,000 Pacific Gas and Electric Co. customers for several hours Tuesday morning and into the afternoon.
The fire damaged buildings, equipment and materials at two businesses — Masonite and California Pallets — leaving their employees with no place to go to work Tuesday. And it is unknown when they will return.
The owner of California Pallets was too overwhelmed Tuesday morning to discuss the impacts the fire had on his business, and local Masonite representatives referred inquiries to their corporate headquarters.
An employee at Masonite said about 120 workers fabricate wood that will eventually be made into doors. The building that houses that operation appeared to be a total loss.
Newman said the combined damages to both businesses easily runs into the millions of dollars. Had the high-tension lines not dropped down, firefighters might have had a chance to spare the building.
Arson investigators have been called to the scene, but Newman said both the point of origin and the cause of the blaze remain unknown.
As a six-alarm fire, all county fire departments were put on alert and many sent firefighters and equipment to Stockton, either to the fire or to staff fire stations around the city. About 75 firefighters actively fought the blaze at its peak and many were expected to remain at the scene throughout the day.
Firefighters were still pouring water on active flames more than nine hours after the fire was first reported.
"This definitely strained our resources because everyone who worked yesterday has to work today," Newman said, referring to a stubborn three-alarm fire that broke out about 4 p.m. Monday at a recycling center in the Port of Stockton industrial district.
Despite all the water being pumped onto the two large fires within 12 hours, Newman said his department experienced no water problems.
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