McFarland, CA

At approximately 6:43 a.m. the Kern County Fire Department Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting a structure on fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found an approximately 3000 square foot convenience store with smoke and flames  coming from the building. Once crews were able to make entry into the building, heavy smoke conditions made visibility very difficult for firefighters. An aggressive interior fire attack was being made when a partial collapse of the roof occurred, forcing firefighters to exit the building to reassess conditions. After determining conditions were safe, firefighters reentered the building to continue extinguishing the fire and found that the fire was burning in the attic. As firefighters continued to force their way through the building to extinguish the fire, an additional roof collapse occurred and all firefighter’s exited the building for a defensive fire fight on the structure. Two KCFD ladder trucks were strategically placed around the structure and utilized to safely extinguish the fire. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians as a result of this fire.

Assisting Agencies: North Kern State Prison Engine 937, McFarland Police Department, McFarland Building Department, The Gas Company, SoCal Edison, PG&E