Family believes fire at Templeton Feed & Grain was arson as crews continue mop-up

The family that owns Templeton Feed & Grain believes arson is to blame for the devastating fire that gutted the company’s iconic granary over the Fourth of July weekend.

Rick Jermin, Templeton Feed & Grain co-owner and vice president, told The Tribune on Sunday that he came to that conclusion after saying he had seen surveillance video that showed someone throwing a mortar at the side of the warehouse building, followed by sparks burning inside.

“The fire shouldn’t be blamed on the fireworks,” Jermin said. “This fire is arson.”

Investigators, however, have not yet reached that definitive conclusion.

Templeton Fire Chief Tom Peterson said Sunday that he could not confirm at this time what caused the fire at the granary, while noting investigators believe it may have been fireworks-related.

The investigation is being handled by Templeton Fire Department in conjunction with the SLO County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s investigative unit is working to collect all of the surveillance from each business around the granary.

In one bright spot on Sunday, firefighters were able to recover the iconic star that adorned the roof of the building, according to the Atascadero News.

Crews continue work to put out hot spots

Meanwhile, firefighters continued to work to extinguish hot spots on Sunday.

While the familiar granary is still standing, it has been reduced to a burned-out hull, its roof line scorched and jagged and its silver metal siding gashed in several places.

“The fire is not completely out, so that’s why we’re having to basically dismantle the building,” Peterson said, adding that the only way to ensure any remaining fire is out will be to demolish the building.

Crews at the scene have already begun tearing down the building, with heavy equipment starting on the low front structure along South Main Street on Saturday.

Although the integrity of the warehouse is not “structurally safe,” Peterson said, the white concrete portion of the granary that has been around since 1912 will be preserved.

“We don’t have any active flames showing at this moment, but there’s so many pockets in there that are still actively burning,” Peterson said.

About 2.5 million gallons of water was used the first night of the fire, Peterson said.

Templeton Community Services District had asked residents to limit their water usage on Saturday, but water conservation is no longer an issue for the city, according to Peterson.

What happens next to Templeton Feed & Grain?

In the immediate future, the Jermin family will partner with another California feed producer, Penny Newman Grain Co., to help manufacture their specific products.

“We’ve lost our manufacturing capability,” Jermin said.

Penny Newman Grain Co. has facilities throughout the state, including in Hanford, Fresno, Stockton and Modesto, its website says. Jermin said the company’s bagging division in Hanford will provide Templeton’s grain and feed supply.

According to Jermin, the company lost about $700,000 in product value due to the fire.

About two to three years ago, the company’s insurance at the time had notified the family saying it would not renew their policy, Jermin said. Without no luck since, the family had not found a replacement insurance company in the area that would take them.

With the help of Andy Brown, owner of ABI Engineering Grading and Paving Underground, an “emergency demolition” of the building has been underway in order to keep it stable, Jermin said. Once the structure is stable, the family will hire a private demolition company, though Jermin is unsure of when that will take place.

Jermin said he wants to open their doors for residents to buy the remainder of their products in Templeton by Monday. Jermin said they want to attempt to sell their products at Main and Fourth Street under a “quick shade camp” for customers.

In a post on the Templeton Proud Facebook page, the family thanked the community for its support.

“The Jermin family is so grateful for all the support, and kind words!” Laura Jane Humphrey wrote. “We appreciated everyone’s generosity, but at this time, we don’t have any real answers for the next steps. We request that everyone hold off on any fundraising until we know what we are going to do.

“We love the words of encouragement! Keep those coming!” Humphrey added.

“If you wanted to do something for our employees, that would be great! We will continue to take care of them the best we can. I addition, maybe some TLC for our firefighters.”

Humphrey closed with a simple message: “Keep wearing your TFG hats!”

This story was originally published July 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM.