STOCKTON, CA – A two-story metal warehouse near the now-dilapidated historic shipyard in Stockton, California, caught fire for the second time this year on Tuesday afternoon.
The blaze was reported around 1:50 p.m. by a local resident, Matthew McCann, who noticed the smoke and promptly called 911.
Located near the Colberg Boat Works property south of Fremont Street and close to McLeod Lake, the warehouse is part of a shipyard that has been plagued by fires in recent months. This year alone, six fires have been reported in the area, raising concerns about the disappearance of buildings at the historic site.
Approximately 30 Stockton and Lodi firefighters, including trainees, were deployed to the scene. They successfully extinguished the flames using three hoses and a water cannon mounted on a crane. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and an investigation will be launched once the area has been cleaned up. In February, another warehouse at the shipyard was destroyed in a fire believed to be arson, while a third warehouse southwest of the shipyard at the Port of Stockton was also consumed by flames the same month.
Once a thriving boat manufacturing facility, the shipyard was itself destroyed in a fire in 2022. Since then, it has become a makeshift home for homeless residents, who have taken shelter in its abandoned structures. For more information check it out at The Stockton Record.
