OXNARD : Old Packinghouse Destroyed in Fire

A former vegetable packinghouse that was often occupied by homeless people burned to the ground Friday night, an Oxnard Fire Department spokesman said.

The fire, which broke out about 9 p.m., involved at least five empty buildings adjacent to railroad tracks at the intersection of 5th Street and Richmond Avenue, Fire Battalion Chief Henry Lenhart said.

There were no injuries. As of 9:45 p.m., fire officials had not determined the cause of the blaze, Lenhart said. The Fire Department expected to have the fire out by about 10:15 p.m, he said.

At least three wooden structures burned to the ground and at least two others were damaged, Lenhart said.

The main building involved in the fire was built in 1904 and was used as a packinghouse for carrots until about 1 1/2 years ago, the former manager of the packinghouse said.

John Holland, who operated the now-defunct Ventura Valley Packing in the building, was at the scene advising fire officials of the contents of the buildings.

Southern Pacific Railroad owns the structures, Holland said.

Firefighters were trying to keep the fire away from areas where Holland said oil, gas and other solvents were stored, Lenhart said.