A large black column of smoke arose early Friday morning from a fully engulfed structure where Railroad Avenue meets Court Street. The commercial building was apparently vacant but Redding Fire Department said it appeared to be recently occupied by squatters. The fire was reported at around 5:15AM and it was under control within 10 minutes of the arrival of firefighters, but the building burned completely to the ground. The value of the damage is estimated at $75,000. The cause is under investigation.
-Steve Gibson