Fire Crews Battle 4 Alarm Fire at Abandoned Warehouse in Antioch

On Monday night, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District firefighters responded to a report of a building on fire near the Antioch Marina.

At 10:52 pm, firefighters were dispatched to a smoke investigation at 5 Marina Plaza, but a short time later discovered a building at the end of 2nd Street on fire. The blaze grew to four-alarms at an old abandoned warehouse possibly started by homeless.

Due to the size of the building, drones with thermal imaging are being utilized to provide the incident command post with live views of the aerial operations flowing 3,000 gpm at Marina IC Warehouse fire in Antioch. Fire crews also were dealing with wind which caused several small spot fires that nearly began vegetation fires.

Crews were on scene for 4-hours and 28-minutes. No other details have been released on the fire. No injuries have been reported.

The Antioch Police Department also responded along with AMR.

Photo by CONFIRE

7:16 am UPDATE

Con Fire cleared scene of 4-alarm overnight warehouse fire in Antioch. 100+ firefighters, supported by APD, CCSO, area fire agencies, protected nearby properties & limited damage to large, abandoned structure. No injuries reported. Fire remains under investigation

Photo by CONFIRE

1:00 pm UPDATE

DATE: 06/19//2023
TIME OF ALARM: 22:53:16
TYPE OF INCIDENT: 4 Alarm Commercial Structure Fire
LOCATION: 1200 W. 4th St., Antioch
RESPONSE: 15 Engines, 4 Trucks, 1 Rescue, 1 Water Tender, 1 Breathing Support, Dozer 220, 2 Medic Units, 1 EMS Supervisor, 2 Safety Officers, 2 Fire Investigators, 3 Battalion Chiefs, and 2 Assistant Chiefs
STATION COVERAGE: CAL FIRE, MOTCO, Moraga-Orinda, Benicia, and San Ramon Valley Fire
ASSISTING AGENCIES: Antioch PD, Con Fire/EMS, PG&E, and Antioch Public Works
TOTAL FIRE PERSONNEL AT SCENE: 83 Personnel

Late last night, Contra Costa County Fire responded to a reported structure fire in the area of West 2nd & L St. in Antioch. Upon arrival, Safety Officer 2, Engine & Truck 81 located a large abandoned warehouse at 1200 W. 4th heavily involved in fire. A 2nd and 3rd alarm were quickly requested.

This warehouse is a known hazardous occupancy with a basement and numerous other interior hazards.

Due to these factors, this fire was fought defensively. Firefighters secured a water supply using multiple hydrants and relay pumpers to supply aerial master streams, ground monitors, and large diameter hand lines. Due to the amount of involvement and wind an additional alarm wildland response and division were established to protect downwind exposures (including the Antioch Marina) and to prevent wildland fires from spreading.

Investigator 80 assisted Firefighters & Incident Command with a drone to provide enhanced situational awareness and to monitor the status of threatened exposures. At the height of the incident, 3 aerial master streams, multiple ground monitors, and large diameter hose lines directed over 4000 gallons of water per minute to extinguish the fire. The fire was declared under control at approximately 04:00 hrs.

We were successful in protecting exposures and limiting the spread of the fire to approximately 50 % of the building.

This complex has had numerous prior fires due to break-ins from people experiencing homelessness occupying the vacant buildings. Crews will be returning throughout the day to monitor the building, conduct additional overhaul, and to assist Fire Investigators with their Investigation.

There were no injuries to Civilians. One Firefighter sustained a minor knee injury during this incident..

Respectfully Submitted,
Lon Goetsch, Assistant Fire Chief, District 1C
Contra Costa County Fire

On Monday, Contra Costa County Fire responded to at least three other fires in East County

2:47 pm – Concord: Willow Pass & Avila Rd… a 1/4 acre fire which was contained between two gravel roads.
11:20 am – Highway 4 & San Marco… vehicle crash ignited a 3-acre fire — see story
9:05 am – Camino Diablo & Marsh Creek… small fire handled by a single engine response.
3:47 am – Antioch: vegetation fire behind Safeway at Hillcrest & Wildflower… turned out to be a small spot fire.