Commercial fire in Modesto threatens auto shops, causes extensive roof damage
A commercial building just west of Highway 99 in Modesto was badly damaged by fire Sunday afternoon, the Fire Department reported.
Modesto firefighters were dispatched to a building behind J&W Automotive, at North Ninth Street and Clayton Avenue, around 12:40 p.m. They reported heavy fire through the roof of the building.
The building was empty upon fire crews’ arrival, Modesto Fire Department Battalion Chief Edward Bartley said.
The fire was upgraded to a second alarm due to fire volume and immediate threat to two neighboring buildings, including another auto shop directly behind it. Surrounding businesses were open for normal business hours Monday morning.
“If that firewall wasn’t there, the auto shop would’ve been in trouble,” an employee of the adjacent McHenry Auto Mart said.
Crews entered the building to work on extinguishing the fire, according to a Fire Department incident report. They remained on scene for several hours overhauling and salvaging the contents.
The cause is under investigation, Bartley said.
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