A fire near a Fresno apartment complex and commercial area damaged 11 utility terrain vehicles Monday evening, but firefighters prevented the flames from spreading, authorities said.

The Fresno Fire Department responded shortly after 6:30 p.m. to multiple 911 calls reporting a fire near Blackstone and Sierra avenues. Early reports indicated the blaze was coming from an apartment complex behind businesses along Blackstone Avenue.

As crews arrived, thick black smoke could be seen from miles away, generating numerous additional emergency calls.

Firefighters with Engine 11 determined the fire had spread into nearby vegetation and was threatening a two-story apartment building. Crews later identified the main fire burning in a commercial back lot behind Clawson Motorsports.

Engine 11 crews took a defensive position to protect the apartment building while directing incoming resources to attack the main fire in the dealership lot, Fresno fire officials said.

Fire officials said the apartment building was successfully protected and no injuries were reported.

Eleven UTVs in the dealership lot were damaged by the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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