A two-alarm fire tore through a former San Bernardino County Sheriff’s station Tuesday afternoon, forcing firefighters battling the blaze inside to pull out when half the roof collapsed.
First reported around 12:30 p.m., San Bernardino County Fire dispatch received calls of light smoke coming from the building, located at the corner of Walnut Street and Santa Fe Avenue near the Main Street overpass.
The first crew on scene, Medic Engine 302, had to force entry to start fighting.
Inside, they found heavy fire which they believed was burning in the attic, according to Battalion Chief Kelly Anderson.
About five minutes later, firefighters could see the roof starting to give way and called for an “operational retreat.”
302's crew exited safely, and the attack switched to defensive. Crews managed to extinguish most of the fire in about 30 to 40 minutes, but gusting winds hampered their efforts.