MODESTO, Calif. — A massive fire two miles south of downtown Modesto caused an estimated $1.2 million in damage, leaving a large area filled with charred debris and burnt vehicles.
The fire started on Friday evening around 7:30 p.m. in a pallet yard near Janopaul Lane and Sonora Avenue. Modesto Fire Battalion Chief Jim Black said the blaze quickly grew, requiring 18 engineers, five truck companies, seven chiefs, a bulldozer, and a utility skid steer to respond. They were also supported by other agencies, including a strike team from San Joaquin County.
Despite the heavy response, the fire consumed about 200,000 wooden pallets and continued to burn throughout the night.
A firefighter suffered heat-related injuries but is expected to recover. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.
The flames, reaching up to 60 feet high, caused further damage as embers sparked additional fires, including one along Highway 99 that burned several vehicles.
Jose Bernal, who owns an auto body shop across from the fire, lost everything in the blaze. Although two cars were saved, the rest were destroyed, leaving Bernal to start over from scratch. Despite the devastation, he’s thankful that all his employees are safe.
“I have no words,” Bernal said. “Now, I have to figure out how to start again.”