UPDATE: Salinas Fire says Food Bank fire is being investigated as arson

UPDATE 3/23/15 2:18p.m.: Salinas Fire have confirmed that Saturday’s early morning fire at the Monterey County Food Bank in Salinas is being investigated as arson. Fire investigators say there is surveillance video from a nearby business that shows who they believe to be the suspect coming back at least four times to make sure the fire was actually burning.

Damage to the building is being estimated at $500,000 not counting the food that had to be thrown out.

Investigators believe the fire was burning for about 20 minutes before the call came in about the fire.

35 firefighters from different agencies across the region battled the two-alarm fire.

3/21/15: A fire at the Monterey County Food Bank in Salinas left more than $1 million in damage, the Monterey County Food Bank Director said.

The fire began about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, sources tell News Channel 5 a loud explosion was heard miles away from the Food Bank, which is located on the 800 block of West Market Street.

Click here for more video of the Monterey County Food Bank fire

Investigators believe the fire may have started in a stack of wooden pallets next to some trucks. They said at least a couple of food delivery truck fleets were destroyed.

Fire Crews were working to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby businesses. Part of the building was caught on fire but fire crews were able to control it.

The Salinas Fire Department said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

News Channel 5 has crews on scene. We will keep this story updated as more information becomes available.

If you’d like to help CLICK HERE for the Food Bank website.