Fire burns 2 vacant buildings in Central Fresno near former Carl's Jr.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- City officials are on alert after another late-night fire in Central Fresno, as new video shows the former Star Stucco Products building collapsing on Sunday.

"The non-combustible materials collapse in over the combustible materials, creating a barrier that makes it very difficult to get to and extinguish," Fresno Fire Department Battalion Chief Kirk Wanless said.

Firefighters did not go inside because it was too hot. They even closed the nearby railroad tracks for 30 minutes.

"We were concerned that some of the debris from the collapse may have kicked out onto the tracks," Wanless said.

It is the second fire near Blackstone and McKinley in 12 days. The former Carl's Jr. is barely standing after a fire caused its collapse.

The buildings are among at least 17 vacant properties controlled by the city. Officials purchased some and took others through eminent domain ahead of a major project to reroute the railroad crossings.

"I continue to be concerned about the homeless activity and the safety of our unhoused population, and our firefighters who have to fight these fires," Fresno City Manager Georgeanne White said.

"My spidey-senses were tingling on Carl's Jr.," she said during a City Council meeting last month. "I was pinging the staff, saying, 'When are we demoing? When are we demoing?' I knew this would happen."

Fresno Police have increased patrols and are monitoring the vacant sites. However, the city continues to experience break-ins.

"The fence gets cut through nearly every day, and we get out there, and we fix the fence, just like any other private property owner is confronted with," White said.

With an investigation into the latest fire now underway, the city is moving even faster to demolish the buildings, years before construction begins.

"We have been utilizing what's called an informal bid process, which allows us to move very quickly," White said. "We do still have some challenges with some buildings that we need to get utilities disconnected."

White confirms the former Taco Bell will be demolished on Tuesday.

For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, X and Instagram.