On Sunday, February 7th, 2021, at approximately 4:40 pm, the Turlock Fire Department received a call of a working structure fire at Latif’s Restaurant located at 111 N Golden State Blvd. The Turlock Fire Department responded with Battalion 4, Engine 31, Squad 32, Engine 33, and Engine 34.

Battalion 4 arrived on scene within minutes and confirmed a working commercial structure fire with heavy smoke from the roof. This added one battalion chief from the Modesto Fire Department, one battalion chief and a type-one engine from the Ceres Fire Department, one type-one engine from the Keyes Fire Protection District, one type-one engine from the Denair Fire Protection District, and one captain and type-one engine from the Turlock Rural Fire Protection District.

When suppression units arrived on scene, they entered the business and located a fire in the kitchen. Luckily, the businesses’ fire suppression systems held the fire down until crews were able to make an offensive attack. The fire was brought under control and extinguished shortly thereafter. Crews conducted overhaul and cleared from the scene at approximately 7:00 pm.

The Turlock Police Department assisted with traffic control, American Medical Response with patient and firefighter care, and both the Turlock Irrigation District and Pacific Gas and Electric with securing utilities.

The fire started on a commercial cooktop and was determined to be accidental. Several other fires occurred south of the location near and under the Golden State overpass while this was going on, however, they were determined to be unrelated to this and were caused by an arsonist.

Latif’s Restaurant will be closed until further notice. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support Latif’s employees while the business is closed. You may donate by clicking here.