Market Rubble Sifted for Clues to Fire

Fire investigators Wednesday sifted through the ashes left by the massive fire that destroyed the Farmers Bazaar, searching for clues that could pinpoint the cause of the blaze at the landmark building that housed the downtown produce market.

The century-old building, which was on L Street, between 7th and 8th avenues, burned to the ground Tuesday afternoon in a spectacular rush of shooting flames and black clouds of smoke. Four firefighters suffered minor injuries during the two-hour battle to control the fire.

On Wednesday, Capt. Jim Smidt of the Metro Arson Strike Team ruled out arson but said investigators were still looking for a cause. Smidt said it was still too early to speculate on the cause but said that investigators were looking closely at the building’s electrical system. Several witnesses said the fire started on the second floor.

Destruction Hampers Probe

“There was no natural gas piped into the building. All of the businesses inside used electrical appliances. We’re taking a good look at the electrical system and talking to witnesses. . . . We’re hampered somewhat by the amount of destruction. But I’m confident that we’ll be able to learn the cause of the fire,” said Smidt.

The fire’s destructive force was evident Wednesday, 24 hours later. Huge steel beams that framed a recent addition on the building’s 8th Avenue side were buckled and twisted. Giant redwood beams were strewn about like burnt matches. Fruit and vegetables were everywhere.

A newer-model van, burned to a black shell, was hardly recognizable as it lay atop a heap of rubble. A burned produce truck and car remained parked by the loading dock on L Street.

Miraculously, none of the estimated 50 employees and 200 shoppers inside when the fire started were injured.

Investigators said the Western Metal Supply Co. building next door suffered minor damage inside, much of it caused by water from sprinklers activated by the heat from the burning market. Smidt praised the building’s fire doors and said they helped prevent the fire from spreading to the building.

A city structural engineer Wednesday proclaimed the Western Metal building safe to re-enter. The building is used as a warehouse but also contains a handful of shops and offices.

Meanwhile, Fire Department officials said the Farmers Bazaar building was last inspected in about 1978. Battalion Chief John Hale said the building was classified as a retail business, and “we don’t typically inspect retail buildings.”

Hale said the department will inspect a retail building only “if a complaint is filed by a member of the public.” The 1978 fire inspection of the Farmers Bazaar was initiated when the market opened, Hale said.

On the day of the fire, a department spokesman said the building was inspected regularly and had passed all inspections.