'Suspicious' Downtown Visalia fire under control, several businesses damaged
A fire that damaged several businesses and displaced even more workers is under control, but the task is now handed over to fire investigators and police detectives to determine what happened.
The multi-alarm fire broke out around 4:25 p.m. Sunday in downtown Visalia on Main Street near the Visalia Fox Theatre and several restaurants — which were open and occupied.
The Visalia Fire Department requested aid from the Tulare, Cal Fire and Tulare County fire departments. Visalia Police blocked off roads in downtown Visalia and pushed back pedestrians. Roads were likely to be closed through the early part of the week.
The fire's origin is deemed suspicious, Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar said.
"We’re going to find them and arrest them," Salazar said. "We’re working hard to find them. That’s our job."
Nearby businesses, including banks, restaurants and the Visalia Times-Delta have offered video surveillance in an effort to catch the suspected arsonist.
Lt. Jared Hughes said any suspect remains unknown.
Smoke from the blaze was seen from Highways 198 to the east and west and 65 as far away as Exeter.
Visalia Fire Marshall Corbin Reed said the fire spread across three buildings — Alejandra's, Décor to Adore and Jimmy John's.
All three buildings had significant damage to them and one of the building's roofs collapsed, Reed said, though he could not confirm which one. Quesadilla Gorilla and the historical Fox Theater had smoke damage as well as damage to doors and windows as fire crews tried to make access.
The fire started in a dumpster behind Alejandra's Restaurant, 314 W. Main Street, and spread to the structure's roof, Hughes said.
Two servers at Alejandra's said they went out with fire extinguishers but the fire was too big so they called the fire department.
Visalia Mayor and downtown Visalians CEO Steve Nelsen confirmed the fire severely damaged portions of West Main Street.
Fire crews were worried the blaze could endanger the historic Visalia Fox Theater, the downtown landmark that opened in 1930, but the structure is safe, Salazar reported. The Visalia Fox is at 308 W. Main Street.
Nearby businesses reported losing power following the blaze. According to Southern California Edison's website, a field investigator made necessary repairs sometime after 6 p.m. Sunday.
SCE restored power to the area around 8:30 p.m.
City crews were asked to help find way of conserving energy downtown, turning off lights to blocks and traffic signals along the portion closed by fire.
About 10 cars parked on Main Street and Floral Avenue have been trapped by hoses and fire fighting equipment. It's unclear what affect the smoke and water may have on those cars.
The blaze in downtown Visalia is reminiscent of the December 2018 fire that destroyed Cafe 225 and Mama K's Diner. Also displaced were businesses Pacific Treasures and Gourmet, and Acapulco Jewelers.
The fire was later determined to have started in the attic of Mama K's Diner before spreading to neighboring businesses in the 200 block of Main Street, directly across the street from Sunday's fire.
The estimated cost for Sunday's fire is unknown, but the cost barriers in the 2018 fire prevented businesses from reopening.
The loss to downtown remains visible and stark until today — a boarded-up scar of a city block that was once bustling.
Of the four businesses that closed as a result of the 2018 fire, three have found new life in Visalia. Only one — Pacific Treasures and Gourmet — remains downtown.
Freelance reporters Donna Orozco and Manuel Hernandez contributed to this report.
This is a breaking story. Check back later for more details.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: 'Suspicious' Downtown Visalia fire under control, several businesses damaged
