Arson suspect arrested as firefighters battle pallet fire in industrial area of Sacramento

Firefighters got a quick handle Tuesday night on a large pallet fire, which is being investigated as arson, after flames broke out at an industrial yard on the eastern fringe of Sacramento.

A single Sacramento Fire Department engine was called for a “debris fire” on the 6200 block of Ramona Avenue just before 9:30 p.m., said spokesman Capt. Keith Wade. Wade said the responding crew saw large flames shooting from the scene near the intersection with Cucamonga Avenue and immediately requested more resources.

A man was arrested on scene after being detained by arson investigators and Sacramento police, Wade said. The man’s name was not released but Wade said the suspect was “experiencing homelessness.”

At least 10 fire engines, five trucks and other firefighting resources were dispatched to the eventual two-alarm blaze, which could be seen from Highway 50 in videos posted to social media.

“We did release some equipment due to the fact that we have surrounded and contained this fire in a defensive mode,” Wade said just before 11 p.m. “We have large water pipes up in the sky right now attacking this from the air as well as from the ground.”

Crews remained on scene Wednesday morning, mopping up the blaze. Wade said motorists were cautioned to avoid the area.

Wade said no injuries were reported and adjacent properties were not threatened on the street in the Ramona Village neighborhood — a mix of industrial lots with some homes — just west of Power Inn Road.

Pallet fires are considered dangerous because the wood used to make pallets is rough, creating a larger surface area to burn, and is often untreated. The pallets are typically dry, and can be stacked in a way that can intensify flames.

This story was originally published May 31, 2022 at 10:26 PM.