On December 18, around 6:14 a.m., the Kern County Fire Department received a call for a structure fire on Niles Street, just east of Sterling Road.
Due to smoke and flames being seen by incoming engines while in route to the fire, a second alarm was started. Crews arrived on scene to a 5000 square foot vacant grocery store fully involved in fire. Initial reports indicated that the building may be occupied.
Upon arrival, crews assisted one individual outside of the structure. A primary search was conducted utilizing a thermal imaging camera and confirmed that no other occupants were in the building. Aerial operations were employed to ventilate the building in order to support ground crews.
Quick efforts by crews kept the fire to the building of origin.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries to firefighters as a result of this fire.
