A vacant commercial building that once housed Appliance Brothers went up in flames early Monday morning, sending plumes of black smoke over Old North Sacramento and forcing nearby residents to evacuate their apartments as a precaution.
Fire crews responded around 4:48 a.m. to the property on Dixieanne Avenue south of Del Paso Boulevard, according to KCRA. The building had served as a storefront and warehouse for Appliance Brothers until the business closed in May 2024.
Sacramento Fire Department officials found heavy black smoke pouring from the middle of the building upon arrival, with a partial roof collapse occurring during the incident. Residents in an adjoining apartment building were evacuated as a safety measure, though no injuries were reported.
Fire Deemed Suspicious Due to Vacant Status
What's raising red flags for investigators is the building's empty status. Fire officials say the incident is clearly suspicious given that this was a vacant building, as reported by KCRA. The business has been closed since spring 2024, leaving the commercial space unoccupied for months.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities examining the suspicious circumstances surrounding the blaze at the empty property.
Part of Broader Vacant Building Fire Concerns
This incident reflects growing concerns about vacant building fires across California. Earlier this year, arson was investigated as the cause of a fire that destroyed a vacant Boston Market in East Sacramento, highlighting the ongoing challenges with unoccupied commercial properties.
The fire temporarily affected morning commute traffic on Del Paso Boulevard, though crews worked to clear the scene and reopen roads promptly.
Neighborhood Faces Ongoing Safety Challenges
The Dixieanne Avenue corridor has experienced various public safety incidents in recent months. In April, Sacramento Police Department officers responded to the 700 block of Dixieanne Avenue after reports of a man on the ground, according to KCRA. That incident marked the 13th homicide of the year within city limits, with the victim identified as 33-year-old Durand Clark Pottinger.
Despite challenges, the area has also seen positive developments. Sacramento City Council recognized 670 Dixieanne Avenue, known as the North Sacramento School, as a historical landmark in February 2024, according to Engage Sacramento. The designation marked the first historic city landmark located in North Sacramento.
The neighborhood has also benefited from infrastructure improvements through the Dixieanne Neighborhood Clean & Green Alleys project, which aims to clean and beautify 23 residential alleys in Old North Sacramento, as detailed by the City of Sacramento.
As investigators work to determine what sparked Monday morning's blaze, the incident serves as another reminder of the fire risks facing vacant properties throughout Sacramento. The quick response by the Sacramento Fire Department prevented what could have been a more serious situation affecting the surrounding residential area.
