Vacant YMCA building catches fire in Stockton
STOCKTON – The vacant old YMCA building in Stockton caught fire early Wednesday morning. The city said what was left of the old building will now be demolished.
Stockton Fire says a three-alarm response was called to the scene near N. Center and Park streets.
Firefighters say the building was under various stages of being remodeled. Squatters are also known to frequent the building, officials say.
"We've been in this building before. We've had fires here before. We know the structural integrity of the building, even without a fire in it, is putting us in danger going in," Deputy Fire Chief Brandon Doolan said.
Crews searched the building and no one was found inside, officials say. Firefighters worked to protect the library building directly east.
Exactly what started the fire is unknown, as the building was locked up at the time.
The same building was the scene of a five-alarm fire in 2019 that injured two firefighters.
Though the YMCA of San Joaquin County hasn't owned or operated in the building since 1996, CEO Dan Chapman released a statement on Wednesday. Read Chapman's full statement below:
"This building stood as a symbol of our commitment to the Stockton community for many decades. The loss of this building marks the closing of a significant chapter in the YMCA's story. We mourn the end of this piece of our history, yet we are also reminded of the resilience and spirit of our community. While this building is now gone, the YMCA's mission remains stronger than ever. Today, we turn the page and continue our commitment to serving Stockton and the surrounding areas with programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We are immensely grateful to the firefighters and first responders who prevented further harm, and we are relieved to hear that no one was injured. We are thankful for the support we receive from our community, and it is because of this support that we will continue to make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve."