Vacant Building on American River Drive Catches Fire

Firefighter injured while responding to blaze at boarded-up structure

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:50am

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A vacant building on American River Drive in Sacramento caught fire on Friday night, according to the Sacramento Fire Department. Crews arrived at the scene around 8 p.m. and one firefighter sustained an ankle injury while responding to the incident. The cause of the fire is currently unknown but is considered suspicious in nature.

Why it matters

Vacant buildings can pose significant fire risks and safety hazards to nearby residents and first responders. This incident highlights the need for proper maintenance and security measures for abandoned properties to prevent such incidents and protect the local community.

The details

According to Sacramento Fire Captain Justin Sylvia, the fire broke out at a boarded-up building on American River Drive. Firefighters arrived at the scene around 8 p.m. and one firefighter suffered an ankle injury while responding to the blaze. The fire department stated that the cause of the fire is unknown but is 'suspicious in nature'.

  • The fire was reported around 8 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2026.

The players

Sacramento Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to and investigated the fire incident.

Justin Sylvia

A captain with the Sacramento Fire Department who provided details about the fire.

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What’s next

The fire department will continue to investigate the cause of the blaze and determine if any criminal activity was involved.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of securing and maintaining vacant buildings to prevent potential safety hazards and protect first responders who may be called to such properties.