CA Crews Tackle 3-Alarm Commercial Fire

Jul. 2—The Vallejo Fire Department helped put out a three-alarm blaze Thursday afternoon near the intersection of Broadway and Sharon streets near Highway 29. Firefighters from American Canyon, Benicia and Fairfield also assisted.

The location of the commercial fire was close to Tall Trees mobile home park, the old Raley's building, Ace Hardware and a lumber yard (in addition to other properties). The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

"Our initial primary goal was to prevent fire extension to these listed properties (ones listed above)," Vallejo Fire Department spokesperson and firefighter Kevin Brown told the Times-Herald. "Our No. 1 priority is always the preservation of life. As such, we placed firefighter crews and apparatus in positions to prevent fire spread to any properties that could allow for potential threat to human life."

The fire, which was first reported around 5:30 p.m., immediately went to two alarms prior to the first fire engine arriving. According to Brown, this cuts down the response time from fire stations located farther away. Once initial arriving crews arrived, and a preliminary assessment was made, a third alarm was struck.

"The fire was well established before our first arriving fire resources arrived on scene," Brown said. "So, for a fire of this nature, our biggest challenge is getting enough resources on scene quickly."

Drivers were soon told to avoid the area of Broadway between Sereno and Tuolumne, and Sonoma between Yolano and Iffland.

Around 6 p.m. the Broadway Command declared the fire under control. Crews remained on the scene for an extended period of time for overhaul and mop-up. No injuries were reported to civilians or fire personnel.

The fire was, however, devasting for Raul Ruiz, who lost his auto repair business nearby in the blaze. A GoFundme was created (gofund.me/729e2e0b) for Ruiz by Vallejo resident Myrna Hayes, who has known Ruiz for a long time.

"I am asking you to donate for my mechanic and friend, Raul Ruiz whose auto repair shop just burned to the ground here in Vallejo. All that's left are the outdoor vehicles," Hayes wrote in the release. "He and his wife and their kids run the shop. Raul is incredibly kind and generous. Just this month he repaired my Toyota pickup and the Saturn, both of which I use to keep the Mare Island San Pablo Bay Trail and our events at the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve going.

"I truly hope the Bay Area community and beyond, will show kindness to this family," Hayes continued. "Raul and all of his family and two dogs were able to get away to safety just in time. Yet, while tens of thousands have viewed the news of the fire, and expressed their dismay and concern, what I feel they need now, right now, is donations to keep them afloat while the investigation and options to move forward are found ... I just keep thinking about how everyone is going to be enjoying the July 4th holiday this weekend and they aren't."

Although it's only a few days away from the Fourth of July, Brown said "there's no evidence directly pointing to fireworks."

Brown also deflected any praise toward VPD, saying the real heroes were actually employees at In-N-Out burger.

"In-N-Out deserves a kudos," Brown said. "They quickly put together an order of 60 burgers for our firefighters on scene. No easy task!"

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