It was once a gathering place for Hanford's Chinese population.
Now, it is a museum, maintained and preserved by the China Alley Preservation Society.
Firefighters from Hanford and Kings County are being credited with saving the Taoist Temple Museum, the heart and soul of Hanford's China Alley Historic District.
Thanks to a recent tour of the building, crews were intimately familiar with the layout of the building, and the precious items inside.
Hanford Fire Chief Steve Pendergrass says crews were conservative with their use of water while trying to contain the blaze.
"The term was surgical in our water placement. Trying to make sure that we're not just blowing through walls," says Chief Steve Pendergrass. China Alley Preservation Society Board President Arianne Wing, and her husband Steve Banister are grateful for firefighters' fast response and their focus on preserving property.