Arson was blamed for a two-alarm blaze that gutted a vacant storefront and damaged another building in Carmichael, fire officials said Sunday.
The fire at 6340 Fair Oaks Boulevard was reported at 11:31 p.m., according to Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District information officer Michelle Eidam.
Two other businesses adjacent to the storefront were threatened but only one -- a florist's shop -- was slightly damaged by smoke and fire, Eidam told Patch.
The shop opened for business Sunday morning, she added.
A restaurant next to the florist remained undamaged, Eidam said.
The storefront, which a few years ago housed an appliance shop, was unoccupied.
According to Eidam, the fire began in the store and moved up to the roof.
Arriving firefighters saw heavy smoke --"white-out conditions" -- coming from the front, said Eidam but not until they got to the rear did they see flames shooting 12 feet into the sky.
The damage was estimated at $300,000; the save was about $700,000, Eidam told Patch.
Earlier in the week, firefighters had checked the building and discovered that the roof was compromised, Eidam said, so they knew not to go atop the building to fight the flames.
It collapsed, she said, but no one was injured.
Authorities ask that anyone with information call fire officials at 916-859-3775.
