MODESTO – A massive downtown fire tore through the American Lumber Company Friday morning.
The fire was dispatched shortly after midnight at the American Lumber Company on 9th Street. By 12:30am the fire was advanced to a third alarm, summoning personnel from Modesto, Ceres and Stanislaus Consolidated.
Police officers closed much of 9th Street and surrounding roadways to traffic. Multiple engines and at least three ladder trucks were utilized to fight the intense flames, however several buildings collapsed from extensive damage.
The flames cast a bright orange glow against the nearby Double Tree Hotel. Smoke and fire could be seen from as far as Salida.
By 2:00am much of the flames had died down. In total 13 engines, 5 trucks and 5 chief officers were on scene, totaling to about 64 firefighters.
A fire load of lumber proved challenging for firefighters. The downtown water system was maxed out, limiting the amount of pressure provided to fire equipment. Power lines had collapsed, but utility crews shut off power to the area to allow firefighters to work. The railroads behind the business were shut down. Officials said some railroad ties were damaged and would require inspection.
Investigators were on scene working to determine a cause.
