Sulfur fire in Ceres caused by workers changing a lightbulb, officials say

FIRST THIS IS KCRAEW NS AT 4:00. LISA: THERISE A FERTILIZER FIRE. THE SMELL OF SULFUR AND ROAD CLOSURES AND PEOPLE LIVING WITHIN 420 EAST SERVICE RDOA SHOULD STAY INSIDE. BRIAN: WE HAVE MORE ON THIS HAZMAT SITUATI.ON REPORTER: LISA AND BRIAN, WE ARE A QUARTER MILE AYWA WHERE THE FIRE BROKE OUT. THE SMOKE THAT WE HAVE SNEE BILLOWING OUT AND THE SMELL OF SULFUR NO LONGER IN THE AIR. THE DEPUTY CHIEF SAYS THE FIRE WAS REPORTED AROUND 1001: A..M TODAY ON EAST SERVICE RDOA AND FOUND FLAMES AROUND A CONCRETE WAREHOUSE AND 900 TSONF SULFUR SMOLDERING. THE NEIGHBORS HAVE BNEE ASKED TO SHELTER IN PLAYS FOR THEIR SAFE.TY >> THE TOXIC IS VERY L.OW AND IT IS LIKE FIREWORKS YOU MITGH ENCOUNTER AND NO ISSUES. IF SOMEONE WAS SENSIVETI TO THAT PRODUCT,95 NND A WASHING THEIR EYESUT O MIGHT BE THE BEST ACTION. REPORTER: THERE IS NO THREAT TO STRUCTURES AS MORE PEOPLE. THE CAUSE ISND UER INVESTIGATION. INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE IT IS MOST LIKELY ACCIDENTAL AND KEEP YOU NOTIFIED IF ANYTHING CHANGES AND FOR NOW WE ARE LEIV HER

A sulfur fire at the Stanislaus Farm Supply in Ceres that led to a shelter-in-place order for the surrounding area for several hours on Monday was ignited by sparks from a lightbulb being changed by workers, the Modesto Fire Department said Tuesday. After the fire broke out at the 40,000-square-foot concrete warehouse on East Service Road about 900 tons of fertilizer grade sulfur smoldered, officials said. Modesto Fire Department spokesperson Darin Jesberg said Monday evening that the fire was contained within the building where it started. Crews planned to stay on the scene overnight to ensure product inside the building remained cool. Health concerns related to the smoke had led to a shelter-in-place order for people within a 1-mile radius as a precaution over possibly hazardous air quality.

MODESTO, Calif. —

After the fire broke out at the 40,000-square-foot concrete warehouse on East Service Road about 900 tons of fertilizer grade sulfur smoldered, officials said.

Modesto Fire Department spokesperson Darin Jesberg said Monday evening that the fire was contained within the building where it started. Crews planned to stay on the scene overnight to ensure product inside the building remained cool.

Health concerns related to the smoke had led to a shelter-in-place order for people within a 1-mile radius as a precaution over possibly hazardous air quality.

Sulfur fire in Ceres caused by workers changing a lightbulb, officials say

GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

Top Picks