Large warehouse fire in Fresno causes total loss, evacuations

Exploding power lines and pressurized cylinders turned a Fresno warehouse fire near L and Los Angeles streets into a total loss Thursday afternoon, forcing an evacuation next door and suspending rail traffic in the area.

The fire was reported around 3:06 p.m. near Hamilton Avenue in southeast and downtown Fresno, where crews arrived to find the warehouse fully involved. Firefighters said the building was engulfed when they got there, and the roof was collapsing as they worked defensively to keep the flames from spreading to nearby structures.

More than 45 firefighters responded, with one report putting the number at 46 on scene. The Fresno Fire Department said the entire warehouse was lost in the blaze, while an adjacent warehouse across from the fire was evacuated as a precaution. People inside the burning warehouse escaped safely without injury.

The firefight was complicated by hazardous conditions inside and around the building. Fire crews reported that damaged power lines and exploding pressurized metal cylinders forced them to pull back at times. Black smoke rose over Fresno and was visible across the city as crews worked to contain the flames.

Rail traffic in the area was also suspended while firefighters remained on scene for several hours. The shutdown underscored how quickly the fire rippled beyond the warehouse itself, affecting nearby businesses and transit operations as crews tried to prevent further damage in the busy corridor.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.