Fire damages East Porterville market

An East Porterville convenience store sustained moderate fire damage after a blaze broke out early Sunday morning.

The incident occurred just after 3:40 a.m. in the 800 block of East Date Avenue at Hari’s Market. The Tulare County Fire Department reports that as firefighters responded to the scene, there were reports of explosions heard in the area. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered flames and smoke coming from a window at the front of the building.

Firefighters forced their way into the store by prying open the business’ front door. Once in the building, crews quickly extinguished the flames.

The fire department reports the fire started in the front of the building. Fire damage extended into the ceiling, where electrical wiring ran down to power outlets.

Mop-up crews gathered damaged food and other packaged goods for sale.

The fire department reports that at the time of the initial dispatch information, a burglary alarm went off, alerting the alarm service provider to a broken window at the business. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department was notified. As of Monday evening, the sheriff’s department had not returned any phone calls.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.