Downtown Dumpster Fires Damage Restaurant

MODESTO – Several dumpster fires in downtown Modesto caused damage to a storage building for a restaurant Monday morning.

The fires were dispatched shortly after midnight and located in an alleyway near the intersection of 14th and G Streets. One dumpster was in the middle of an alleyway burning. Firefighters focused their efforts on two others across the street, one of which was against a storage building for the A&W restaurant. The flames had extended to the structure and were already burning it.

About 20 minutes later officers with the Modesto Police Department located another dumpster burning up against an apartment building near the intersection of 12th and G Streets. Fire extinguishers were used to hold the flames down until an engine arrived.

Officers patrolled the downtown area for any signs of other fires, but none were found. An investigator responded to determine the cause.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Stanislaus Fire Investigations Unit at (209) 525-5537 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 where callers can remain anonymous.