A vacant commercial building that once housed a Bobby Salazar’s restaurant was damaged by fire early Friday morning, according to the Fresno Fire Department.

Fire officials said the blaze was reported just after 12:30 a.m. Friday at 2839 N. Blackstone Ave. after multiple 911 callers reported a building on fire. Engine 5 arrived and reported fire through the roof and declared a working fire.

The structure was the vacant, boarded-up building that formerly operated as a Bobby Salazar’s restaurant and had experienced a previous fire, according to fire officials.

A total of 39 firefighters responded and remained on scene for about three hours. Firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Federal Case Involves the Same Location

The building is associated with the restaurant brand operated by Fresno restaurateur Bobby Salazar.

In a federal case, Salazar has pleaded not guilty to charges of mail fraud and arson tied to the 2024 fire that destroyed one of his eateries, according to federal court records and prosecutors.

Federal prosecutors allege Salazar, 63, directed the president of the Screamin’ Demons Motorcycle Club, Thomas Qualls, 39, of Sanger, to set fire to a vacant restaurant at 2839 N. Blackstone Ave.  on April 2, 2024. Prosecutors say Salazar filed an insurance claim denying involvement and received at least $980,739.

Authorities have not indicated any connection between Friday’s fire and the federal allegations.

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