Fire in Modesto fueled by wood pallets causes $1.2 million in damages, injures firefighter

A commercial fire on Janopaul Lane in Modesto caused $1.2 million in damages and injured a firefighter on Friday night, according to the Modesto Fire Department.

At about 7:30 p.m., firefighters received reports of wood pallets on fire on the 600 block of Janopaul. When they arrived, they found the entire pallet yard engulfed, according to a press release.

Crews first on the scene called in two additional engines, as the fire began to increase in intensity. At the same time, a large brush fire was being fought in west Modesto, which took up fire department resources.

“Firefighting efforts faced significant challenges due to the intensity of the flames and limited access to the area,” MFD’s release said.

The fire consumed about 200,000 wooden pallets, multiple tractor trailers, several power poles and transformers, at least one recreational vehicle and a residential unit located on the pallet yard. Burning power poles and electrical lines further complicated firefighter efforts.

One firefighter was taken to a local hospital for heat-related injuries. He later was released. No one else was injured, according to Battalion Chief Jim Black.

Firefighters worked throughout the night to contain the fire, the cause of which is under investigation. A massive amount of resources went toward the blaze, which included 18 engines, five trucks, seven chiefs, one bulldozer and one utility skid steer.

Fire departments which assisted included the Turlock Fire Department, Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District, Ripon Fire District, Patterson Fire Department and personnel from a San Joaquin County strike team.

Firefighters also received support from the Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit, Stanislaus OES/CERT, California Highway Patrol, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, Modesto Police Department, Turlock Irrigation District, Pacific Gas & Electric, American Medical Response and Stanislaus County Public Works.

The flames could be seen throughout the area, with several videos of it surfacing online. At John Thurman Field, attendees of Friday night’s Modesto Nuts game had full view of the fire and its black, billowing smoke. Kids and adults alike collected at the top of the stands to get a better view.

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