This afternoon San Bernardino County Firefighters were dispatched to a reported commercial structure fire in the 100 block of East Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino. Crews quickly arrived on-scene to find a vegetation fire with immediate exposure to multiple large commercial occupancies.
Arriving firefighters initiated a fire attack, finding a wind driven fire that had spread to nearby palm trees and portions of the large two-story office complex. Due to the threat, a second alarm was quickly struck, bringing additional firefighters and equipment to the scene. Despite the firefighter’s best effort the wind-driven fire quickly spread to other nearby trees, an outbuilding and the attic space of the 35,000 square foot office building. Firefighters fought the fire from both the roof and interior of the structure to attempt to keep the fire from spreading in the common attic space. Crews also completed primary search and evacuations of the complex, ensuring all potential victims were evacuated from the fast-moving fire.
Windy conditions continued to fuel the fire, challenging arriving fire crews. Despite their best efforts, the fire continued to grow through the large office complex. The structural integrity of the building became compromised, causing firefighters to switch from an offensive posture to a defensive posture. Once safely exited, fire crews utilized large volumes of water to suppress the fire. At the height of the fire more than 5,000 gallons a minute were flowing into the building. The fire was brought under control in approximately 90 minutes. The building sustained heavy fire damage. No injuries were reported to both civilians and fire personnel. Multiple #SBCoFD Fire Investigators responded and are working on a cause and origin investigation.
San Bernardino County Fire responded with 11 Engines, 4 Truck Companies, 4 Chief Officers, 4 Fire Investigators and an Air/Light unit. Colton and Loma Linda Fire assisted. At the height of the fire, more than 60 firefighters worked to control the fire.
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