Early Wednesday morning, a fire broke out in the vacant building that once housed the Stockton YMCA, prompting a significant response from local fire crews. Firefighters were dispatched to the intersection of North Center and East Park streets around 3:50 a.m., according to a report by KCRA. Upon arrival, the firefighters encountered flames tearing through the building's roof, as Brandon Doolan with the Stockton Fire Department described, additional crews were then called to aid in containing the fire which posed a risk to the neighboring Cesar Chavez Central Library.
The firefighters performed a thorough search of the premises and confirmed that the building was empty, "The vacant building was searched and no one was found inside," Doolan said. As the fire raged on, reaching the status of being active as of 7:30 a.m., officials were concerned about protecting the adjacent library structure. The property, which has stood vacant for over 15 years and has been the site of previous fires, is deemed beyond salvage and is expected to be allowed to burn itself out under firefighter supervision, Doolan noted in comments to KCRA.
In a separate report from CBS News Sacramento, it was revealed that the building was undergoing varying stages of remodeling when the fire took hold and that it had been known to be frequented by squatters. In their tactical approach, firefighters have shifted to a defensive strategy with the primary goal of safeguarding the adjacent library building. The cause of the fire remains a question, especially given that the building was locked.
The former community hub has a history of fire incidents; in 2019, it was the scene of a five-alarm fire that left two firefighters injured. The cause of the current blaze remains under investigation, with the origin remaining a mystery due to the building's secured status at the onset of the fire. As for the library, "it should go untouched," offered Doolan with an assurance to the public concerned about the cultural landmark in proximity to the disaster, as reported by KCRA.
