Massive Fire Destroys Vacant Fresno Carl’s Jr.

On the evening of January 28, 2026, a massive fire broke out at the corner of Blackstone and McKinley Avenues in Central Fresno, sending thick plumes of smoke and flames skyward in a scene that stopped passersby in their tracks. The vacant building, once home to a Carl’s Jr. restaurant and now a boarded-up shell, quickly became the focus of a large-scale emergency response that drew in both the city’s firefighters and the community’s attention.

According to multiple reports from KFSN, FOX26, and other local outlets, the fire ignited shortly after 6:00 p.m., rapidly engulfing the structure and threatening nearby properties. Students from Fresno City College, just a stone’s throw away, looked on as the flames intensified. "You could feel the smoke, like, going into your lungs," recalled Daniel Garcia, a student who witnessed the scene while heading to the bus stop with friends. The scale and ferocity of the fire were such that some onlookers described it as something straight out of a movie.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from the building’s windows and roof. Battalion Chief Timothy Fulmer of the Fresno City Fire Department described the situation as dire. "We are going to put the ariels up and knock down as much as we can but I fully expect we’ll end up dropping the building," he explained to reporters, underscoring the seriousness of the threat. Six fire engines and approximately 36 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, attacking the blaze both from above with ladder trucks and on the ground.

The immediate concern for the firefighters was the possibility that someone might be trapped inside. The building, empty and boarded up for about a month, had become a magnet for homeless individuals seeking shelter. "We do suspect that there’s homeless inside and somebody started a fire, which caused what we have behind here today," Fulmer stated, as cited by KFSN. In response, crews launched a rapid search and rescue operation, scouring the smoke-filled interior for any sign of occupants. Fortunately, after a thorough search, they confirmed that no one was inside and no injuries were reported among either civilians or firefighters.

With the risk to human life ruled out, the firefighting strategy shifted. Fulmer described the new approach: "Which means that we stand back and protect the exposures and buildings around it." This defensive mode was essential, given the proximity of other structures and the potential for the fire to spread. The intersection itself, a busy hub near Fresno City College, was closed for three to four hours as crews worked to contain the blaze and prevent further damage.

The fire’s location is no stranger to such emergencies. Officials and local business owners noted that the former Carl’s Jr. building had a history of homeless activity and previous fires. Harman Dhillon, who owns a business nearby, observed, "We’ve seen Carl’s Jr. has been boarded up for about maybe the past month or so, and because of that we’ve been seeing a lot of the unhoused individuals straggling or hanging around those areas." This pattern has contributed to a sense of unease and frustration among residents and business owners alike, who have watched the area deteriorate as vacant properties attract unwanted attention.

The boarded-up status of the building is not accidental. In July 2025, the Fresno City Council approved the acquisition of three businesses at this intersection as part of a major infrastructure project. The plan is to lower the road at Blackstone and McKinley, eliminating two busy at-grade railroad crossings that have long caused congestion and safety concerns. While the project promises future improvements, the interim period has left several properties vacant and vulnerable to trespassing and fire hazards.

As the flames were beaten back and the smoke began to clear, the community was left to grapple with the aftermath—and with lingering questions about the safety and future of the neighborhood. Fresno Fire investigators promptly began a formal probe into the cause of the fire. Early suspicions pointed to intentional ignition, possibly linked to the presence of homeless individuals seeking warmth or shelter inside the building. This theory is not without precedent, as officials confirmed that this location has experienced repeated fires in the past, suggesting an ongoing risk at the long-vacant commercial site.

The sight of yet another fire at such a prominent intersection has left many residents disheartened. Aracly Galindo, a Fresno resident who frequently commutes through the area, expressed her sadness: "It’s honestly just really sad seeing, like, stuff like this happen around like a city that I live in and grew up in." The repeated incidents have raised broader concerns about the challenges facing Central Fresno—especially as the city balances redevelopment and public safety with the realities of homelessness and urban decay.

For nearby students and residents, the fire was not just a spectacle but a reminder of the complex issues that simmer beneath the surface in many urban neighborhoods. The thick smoke and flames were visible from a distance, and some people reported feeling the smoke in their lungs as they passed through the area. The intersection’s closure for several hours further underscored the disruption and danger posed by such incidents.

City officials, meanwhile, have emphasized their commitment to both completing the rail crossing project and addressing the root causes of these fires. The acquisition of properties for the project is intended to pave the way for safer, more efficient traffic flow in the years ahead. But in the short term, boarded-up buildings remain a magnet for trouble, and the community’s patience is being tested as they await the promised improvements.

As the investigation into the January 28 fire continues, the Fresno Fire Department and city leaders face mounting pressure to find solutions that protect both people and property. The challenges are not unique to Fresno, but the frequency and visibility of fires at this intersection have made it a focal point for debate over how best to manage vacant properties, support vulnerable populations, and revitalize struggling neighborhoods.

For now, the charred remains of the former Carl’s Jr. serve as a stark symbol of the intersection’s uncertain present—and of the urgent need for action as Fresno seeks to turn a troubled corner into a safer, more vibrant future.