A day after fire gutted a vacant building in downtown Stockton, another blaze broke out in the building next door —and both again raise the issue of whether stronger action is needed to deal with the city’s many empty commercial structures.
Although there was no word yet on the cause of the new fire, Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi said the earlier one appears to have been caused by a person, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
The latest blaze resulted in a massive five-alarm response and was quickly brought under control early Monday. It was contained to an attic in the building adjacent in the 400 block of east Main Street. Just like the blaze that broke out Saturday morning in the adjacent structure, the new fire was also in a vacant building.
Department officials said the new inferno was discovered by the crew of Engine 13 that had remained at the scene of the earlier fire as a precaution. Firefighters observed smoke rising from the roof and immediately called for backup.
Reacting to the first conflagration, a four-alarm fire that was fought with the aerial support from three ladder trucks, Fugazi praised the department’s effort on social media.
She said “the training and work ethic of our fire personnel insured that there was no loss of life of our department members or citizens.”
She added that every floor of the building collapsed.
“:Again, we couldn’t be more proud of our amazing fire department and all they do to protect this city. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough,” she said.
At the same time, however, she raised concerns about the possibility of arson.
“Flames ripped through this long vacant building that was notorious for having trespassers. Preliminary investigation points to someone in the building who may be intentionally or unintentionally responsible,” she said.
A 2022 survey found that the city has about 250 vacant buildings.
In March, the City Council expressed concerns that the empty structures attract graffiti, trash, blight and become havens for squatters for drug addicts. They proposed higher fees for landlords that would increase the longer that the buildings remain vacant. The matter was due to come back before the council, but members indicated they are frustrated.
Landlords who have a vacant building “should open it up for business, sell it, rent it out or donate it or do something with it,” said Vice Mayor Jason Lee at the time.