Tracy pallet yard fire forces school, road closures
(FOX40.COM) — A multi-acre pallet yard fire with 20 to 50 foot flames near Tracy lit up the early morning sky on Thursday.
Since about 2 a.m., fire crews with the South San Joaquin County Fire Authority and several other surrounding agencies have been responding to a fire located in a 6-acre pallet yard along Grant Line Road.
Fire Chief Randall Bradley said that when the first units arrived on scene they found the fire to be well involved and within a matter of minutes the fire was elevated to a three alarm.
One of the major challenges for responding crews was the absence of a municipal water supply at the pallet yard, requiring water tenders to be brought in.
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Bradley said that six water tender were called on to provide the needed fire retardant for the 12 fire engines and three ladder trucks that responded to the fire.
As crews brought down a deluge on the inferno, those living within close vicinity to the fire were evacuated to the nearby Banta Elementary School.
No structures were destroyed outside of the pallet yard and no injuries have been reported from the public or fire crews.
Given the scope of the fire and the serious possibility of flare ups from undetected embers within the pallets, Bradley said crews will remain at the scene all day.
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This continued fire presence has caused Banta Elementary School to be closed for the entire day as roadways near and around the school will be filled with fire apparatus, posing a threat to students and parents driving in the area, according to Bradley.
Much of the potential fuel for the fire has been burned up by the fast moving and incredibly hot flames, leaving crews to mop up the remaining chars.
Pacific, Gas and Electric is also on scene addressing power outages caused by the fire. As of 7:18 a.m. at least 40 customers are without power in the area of the fire.
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