A quick response by Manteca firefighters keep flames from reaching the roof of the shuttered Mervyn’s Department Store building Friday afternoon at about 3:30 p.m.
The first responders said they were met with flames that were leaping above the roof of the northeast section of the structure coming from the loading dock area. Early speculation laid possible blame to an accelerant that was possibly used on the outside of the roll up doors.
A triangular opening was cut into one of the doors by firemen using a circular saw to gain entrance to the building once the flames had been knocked down. A firefighter crawled through the door to gain access to the building.
Fire Chief Kirk Waters said investigators would be working to determine the cause of the fire. He stopped short of saying the fire could be arson produced in nature.
The first responders said they were met with flames that were leaping above the roof of the northeast section of the structure coming from the loading dock area. Early speculation laid possible blame to an accelerant that was possibly used on the outside of the roll up doors.
A triangular opening was cut into one of the doors by firemen using a circular saw to gain entrance to the building once the flames had been knocked down. A firefighter crawled through the door to gain access to the building.
Fire Chief Kirk Waters said investigators would be working to determine the cause of the fire. He stopped short of saying the fire could be arson produced in nature.
