Great American Antiques location burns down, investigation ongoing

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — (KBAK/FOX58) The building that once housed Great American Antiques in downtown Bakersfield has burned down.

Nearly two dozen fire trucks from the Bakersfield Fire Department (BFD) and Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) were called. The trucks dumped a lot of water on the burning building in the mixed commercial and residential area. BFD Battalion Chief Tim Ortiz told Eyewitness News that a vacuum unit was needed to prevent the water from entering the buildings south of the old store.

About 3,844 PG&E customers were without power, including the gym pictured below.

Eyewitness News sources have told the station that the current owners do not have insurance on the building. Attorney H. Dennis Beaver wonders if the building can be saved or if the owner has enough money to demolish the building if there is no insurance payout.

“It’s surprising that you come across people who own commercial properties and don’t have fire insurance,” Beaver said. “You wonder what it’s going to cost to repair. Is it worth it?”

Antique store owner Aida Arias started AN’ J Home Decor and Antiques several years ago. Shops like Great American Antiques inspired her to open her own store.

“This place inspired me,” Arias said. “The owner was very nice and very hospitable. It’s so sad that this place burned down.”

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by Bakersfield Fire Department fire investigators.