Fire Partially Collapses Vacant Building In Downtown Concord

CONCORD, CA — Contra Costa County firefighters remained on the scene Tuesday of a two-alarm fire that broke out in a vacant commercial building late Monday in downtown Concord.

"All active fire has been put out; we're trying to address hot spots underneath the rubble," Con Fire Capt. Chris Toler told Patch.

The building at 2325 Clayton Road partially collapsed but was not a total collapse, Toler said.

No one was in the building when firefighters responded shortly before 10:30 p.m. Monday. Crews worked for over two and a half hours to knock down the raging fire at a vacant building near Sunset Avenue and East Street.

Approximately 70 firefighters have battled the blaze since it broke out, many of whom worked through the night.

Fire inspectors were still working to determine the cause.

Toler said he could not speculate about possible causes such as arson or whether a homeless person may have accidentally started it.

"They will look at all possible causes and with a building this size that could take a while," Toler said.

Before the fire, the building sat vacant intermittently for at least five years. In recent years it was graffitied and surrounded by a chain-link fence.

Firefighters were expected to remain on the scene until all potential hot spots were extinguished.

"They are being vigilant, making sure nothing else is popping up and addressing any issues that may pop up," Toler said.

Roads in the vicinity of the building remained closed Tuesday and authorities advised the public to stay out of the area.

According to the Concord Police Department, the following roads were still closed:

East Street between Concord Boulevard/Park Street

Colfax Street between Concord Boulevard/Sunset Avenue

Clayton Road between Sunset Avenue/Park Street

Sunset Avenue between Colfax Street/Port Chicago Highway

"Expect closures through the day with heavy traffic congestion," Concord police said. "Plan your commute accordingly."

This is a developing story.