'Long history of fires': Multiple fires break out on Union Avenue

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- A half-melted sign is the first thing Bakersfield residents see when passing the La Mirage Motel.

Past the gates lie bundles of trash, a large puddle of water and burned openings in its former rooms. But the La Mirage was not the only building put out by the Bakersfield Fire Department Thursday night.

"We arrived on a scene and found an abandoned motel," said Captain Jonathan Wegis. "Over the course of 12 hours, we had 3 buildings set on fire and one exterior fire."

The first of the fires began around 8 pm Thursday at La Mirage. Later, around 4 am Friday, firefighters were dispatched to a warehouse a few steps away. A dumpster fire broke out near the parking lot of the Great Castle Restaurant shortly after Finally, around 8 am, a fire broke out in the corne