Photo shows three of the four to six men being sought in connection with the Templeton Feed & Grain arson fire on July 4. Photos courtesy SLO County Sheriff’s Department
The County Sheriff’s Department is searching for four men suspected of starting a spectacular fire on July 4 that destroyed a Templeton landmark.
At about 11:30 p.m. July 4, the Sheriff’s Department said, fire broke out at the Templeton Feed & Grain, a historic multi-story structure that has dominated the Templeton skyline for over half a century. Despite the efforts of the Templeton Fire Department and help from surrounding fire agencies that responded, the granary could not be saved.
“On the evening of July 4th,” reads a Facebook post from the TFD, “the Templeton Feed & Grain building was engulfed in flames and could not be saved despite the tireless efforts of our crews and neighboring agencies.
“This structure was more than just a building, it stood as a symbol of our town’s roots, resilience, and rural heritage for over a century. Its loss is deeply felt by our entire community.”
The fire burned through the metal sided buildings, with wooden framework, and burst through the roof. It burned most of that night and was still smoldering for a couple of days after.
Rumors began circulating almost immediately online that the fire was caused by careless use of illegal fireworks, and those rumors have been confirmed by the TFD Fire Chief, as evidenced by surveillance camera footage from a business across Main Street from the Feed & Grain.
“Detectives are working to identify four to six individuals who were all seen in the area, wearing dark clothing, with at least one person carrying a backpack,” reads a July 7 news release from the Sheriff’s Department, which has taken an active role in what is now a major arson investigation.
“It’s also believed that individuals associated with a nearby vehicle may have spoken with these subjects just prior to the incident. Sheriff’s detectives are hoping to speak with the occupants of this vehicle.”
In still photos released by the department, the vehicle appears to be a white, newer-model SUV, though the Sheriff’s Department did not list a make or model for the car.
The four men, though the photos are grainy and in soft focus, appear to be young, possibly teenagers. Unfortunately, as is common with such surveillance camera images, the photos were taken in low light, at night and are grainy, with details hard to make out.
One fellow appears to be wearing dark or black tennis shoes with white soles. He appears to be thin with short dark hair.
Another one appears to be wearing white shoes and the one with a backpack has dark shoes. None of the photos that were released, has a clear image of their faces.
Fighting the fire used up so much of the Templeton CSD’s water supply, that it sent notices to residents asking them to cut back on their water usage until the supply could be replenished.
Detectives have asked for the public’s help. “If you were in the area between South Main Street and Templeton Park between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on July 4, or have surveillance footage from that time frame, please contact the Sheriff’s Office,” call (805) 781-4500. Tips can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (805) 549-7867 or online at www.slotips.org.
Templeton hosts a big 4th of July Parade during the day, so it’s possible these men, if they were watching the parade, may have been captured on video or in photographs then as well.
Templeton’s Parade is sponsored by the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce hosts a family picnic at the nearby Community Park followed by a public fireworks show. The day was apparently fun-filled and uneventful until the fire ruined it.
The granary, owned by the Jermin Family, has been a key business in what is still a rural, agricultural community. The Tribune reported that the business had lost its insurance coverage a couple of years before the fire, a statewide trend in recent years.
Granaries in general are prone to big fires, as dust from the handling of dried grains is highly flammable. And like many other businesses and homeowners in California, in the face of recent wildfires that have burned down whole communities, fire insurance is difficult to get, and increasingly expensive.
The granary owners sought help online to find somewhere that they could reopen temporarily. The business’ retail store survived the fire along with much of its already bagged inventory. They were able to move their operations to Nature’s Touch Nursery & Harvest, which is located at 225 S. Main St., Templeton.
After the fire was finally extinguished, and TFD firefighters got a break after being on scene for four straight days, the two big towers of the granary were brought down by ABI Engineering Grading and Paving, leaving a huge pile of rubble.
The remains of the buildings were hauled away to the Chicago Grade Landfill and a temporary fence was erected around the site.
In their Facebook post, the fire department summed up the sentiments of Templeton residents:
“We want to thank every firefighter, law enforcement officer, and emergency responder who answered the call without hesitation. Your dedication, bravery, and teamwork reflect the very best of who we are.
“To the Templeton community: we see your heartbreak, and we share it with you. Together, we will honor what was lost — and continue to stand strong for what remains.”
