RANCHO CORDOVA — An early morning fire tore through a vacant commercial building that once housed the Epoch Casino on Folsom Boulevard Monday, sending a large number of Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District crews to the scene.
Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 2 a.mz to the property at 11275 Folsom Boulevard, east of Sunrise Boulevard, where heavy flames and smoke were showing from the boarded-up structure upon arrival. The fire was contained after several hours of work.
According to Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District’s Mark Nunez, spoke with the media from the scene Monday morning, explaining how crews faced added challenges because of the building’s condition and construction history.
“This building really was a challenge for us due to the fact that it’s been remodeled multiple times,” Nunez said. “The biggest challenge was the fact that it was boarded up. When we arrive at those types of buildings, we really have to slow down and make sure that we’ve got ways to get in, in case of an emergency. So a lot of challenges here today.”
The structure is more than a century old and has a rich history. Prior to becoming home to the Epoch Casino which closed down in 2024 after being open for less than a year. It was home to a similar venue known as the Magnolia House which occupied it after it was known as the Fire Rock Grill. Prior to the most recent tenants the building was home to the famed Sheepherders Inn restaurant before closing in 2004 after 30 years.
Roughly two dozen units responded to the call, including multiple engines, trucks, and command personnel. No injuries were reported, and investigators from the district’s arson unit are working to determine the cause. The former casino building sustained extensive damage.
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