Brundage Incident - 2 Alarm Warehouse Fire

Media Releases From Kern County Fire Department Public Information Officer Jonathan Drucker
BAKERSFIELD, Calif., On January 29, 2025, at 12:08 p.m., Kern County firefighters responded to the 100 block of Washington St. for a reported warehouse fire. A large column of smoke was visible, prompting a second alarm response. Upon arrival, firefighters found a 30,000-square-foot warehouse heavily involved in fire. Located in a yard with multiple other warehouses, firefighters immediately adopted a defensive strategy to protect adjacent structures. Piles of compacted bales of plastic, stacked from floor to ceiling, burned intensely, weakening the warehouse’s metal framework. Within minutes, the building began to collapse, with flames shooting through the roof.
The incident is ongoing. Firefighters have successfully contained the flames to the affected warehouse, preventing further spread. At present, the intense heat is lifting the smoke up and away from the nearby community. Travel may be impacted in the vicinity due to the water supply lines laid for firefighting efforts.
Crews continue to make progress despite challenges posed by the large volume of burning material and the limited water supply in the area. This operation will extend throughout the day and into the night and a large column of smoke is expected to remain visible. Rest assured, firefighters will remain on the scene until the fire is fully extinguished.
No injuries have been reported. The cause is under investigation.