Demolition Begins At Site Of Massive Tracy Warehouse Fire

TRACY, CA — Crews are beginning the process of demolishing the remains of a million-square-foot warehouse that burned in Tracy Thursday. In the meantime, local health and emergency agencies continue to monitor the effects of the large fire on air, water, and soil.

Hundreds of personnel worked for days to put out the large fire, which broke out Thursday afternoon and continued burning into Friday. As of Monday, the fire is contained and crews are in the mop-up phase, according to Tracy Fire Department Battalion Chief Paul O’Neal, per an ABC10 report. Crews are now working to demolish what was left of the massive structure and clearing the remains.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation as of Sunday.

Officials are bringing in heavy equipment Monday to begin accessing hot spots within the debris and knocking down remaining walls, O’Neal said. Officials said the warehouse’s size remains one of the greatest challenges. Because significant portions of the building collapsed during the fire, crews are using heavy equipment to clear debris and improve access to the center of the structure.

Officials continue to warn residents not to touch debris that was scattered across neighborhoods by smoke and wind. Residents in the Tracy Hills area continue to find charred material in yards, parks, and streets. Residents can report locations where debris has been found on a new website.

Officials are also measuring air and groundwater in the aftermath. The San Joaquin County Public Health Services warned that the fire contained toxic gases, carcinogens, and at least one neurotoxin. Air quality in Tracy was deemed “unhealthy” in the days following the fire, but is deemed “moderate” as of Monday afternoon, according to the California Air Resources Board and the San Joaquin Valley Air District. See here to check air quality.

SEE ALSO:

• Million-Square-Foot Tracy Warehouse Fire Could Burn For Days: What We Know
• Massive Warehouse Fire Destroys Tracy Medical Supply Facility — Multiple Blazes Reported