This morning crews were extremely busy, working multiple structure fires dispatched within minutes of each other, both in the downtown area of San Bernardino.

Residential Structure Fire
200 block of East Olive, San Bernardino
Time of dispatch - 9:36am

SBCoFD crews were dispatched to a reported residential fire. 911 callers stated smoke and fire from a home. ME221 already in the area, arrived within 2 minutes dispatch to find heavy smoke showing from a single-story home. Arriving crews initiated a fire attack, working to suppress the fire and search for potential victims. Despite barred windows and heavy smoke conditions firefighters quickly knocked the fire down. A rapid response time was vital to limit damage & to pretext nearby homes. All searches of the home came up clear. Four Engines, a Truck Company, Medic Squad, fire investigator and a Battalion Chief responded.

Commercial Structure Fire
300 block of W. 4th Street
Time of dispatch - 9:39am

Crews were dispatched to the corner of W.
D Street & 4th Street, San Bernardino for reports of a commercial building on fire. Units arrived to find smoke showing from a 20,000 square foot, three-story commercial occupancy. Arriving firefighters deployed inside the smoke filled occupancy, working to locate the fire and any potential victims. The fire was knocked down within 15 minutes of arrival and held to the first floor. Two occupants were found inside the vacant building and evacuated to safety. Six Engines, two Truck Companies, a Medic Squad, Fire Investigator & a Battalion Chief.

No injuries were reported on both fires. While close in proximity, the fires appear to be unrelated. The cause and origin of each fire remains under investigation by #SBCoFD Investigators. Multiple “move-up” Engines were quickly dispatched to cover vacant fire stations, allowing for uninterrupted fire and EMS coverage for the area.