Delano residents forced to evacuate after a cold storage facility caught fire in the early morning hours Friday. Around 2:00 am, the Kern County Fire Department were dispatched to the 200 block of Glenwood Street near Garces Highway and the 99 Freeway for reports of a structure fire. When they arrived, the severity of the blaze led to crews declaring a second alarm. While on scene, firefighters noticed two 3,500 pound tanks filled with ammonia had been compromised due to the fire and begun to leak. Evacuations were then put in place for the surrounding area affected residents, businesses, and Fremont Elementary School.

According to Kern Fire Captain Andrew Freeborn, 80 fire personnel were on scene along with Delano Police, Kern County Public Health, and Bakersfield Fire. Freeborn says no injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.