Fortunately, no tracks were destroyed because none had been put down — in 11 years.
A fire at a California High-Speed Rail construction site in southeast Fresno was likely sparked by active work underway at the location, the Fresno Fire Department said, after a temporary “falsework” (shoring) structure used to pour concrete caught fire Wednesday morning.
Fire officials said roughly 20 construction workers were on site around 8:45 a.m. when the shoring structure ignited and burned near Church and Sunland avenues, where an overpass is under construction. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters faced initial access challenges because of road closures and heavy fog, and they coordinated with railroad officials to temporarily halt train traffic so crews could safely position a ladder truck and extinguish the fire. About 20 firefighters responded, and the blaze was put out.
The incident came just a day after Gov. Gavin Newsom was in the region touting the high-speed rail project in a public appearance, calling it “a point of pride” and arguing it is “not just a transportation project” but “about reimagining the future of this region,” according to local reporting.
On Wednesday, the High-Speed Rail Authority issued a statement confirming everyone evacuated safely.
“Thanks to the work of (the) Fresno Fire Department, the fire has been extinguished,” a spokesperson said. “We will continue to support and coordinate as needed.”
The overpass is scheduled to be finished by next month. There is no word on how the fire will impact that timeline.
Watch the clips below:
Hours after Gavin Newsom celebrated a major made up milestone for California’s criminally over budget and delayed high speed rail, it caught on fire…
Fortunately, no tracks were destroyed in the blaze, but that’s only because none have been laid in 16 years. https://t.co/8saGsfmzns pic.twitter.com/X2HqxMg7Bf
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) February 6, 2026
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