Crime

Sheriff asks for help in Templeton fire investigation. Do you know these people?

By Chloe Jones and Angel Corzo

Updated July 11, 2025 10:12 AM

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.

Fire destroyed Templeton Feed & Grain granary; arson suspected by co-owner.
Sheriff's Office released photos, seeks help identifying four to six individuals.
Public urged to share footage or tips from July 4 between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m.

A landmark lost: Coverage of the Templeton Feed & Grain fire

A fire that sparked just after 11 p.m. on July 4, 2025, gutted the historic building in the heart of downtown Templeton. Read The Tribune’s coverage here.

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The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office asked the public to help identify several persons of interest captured on nearby surveillance cameras as part of its investigation into the Fourth of July fire that devastated the Templeton Feed & Grain granary.

The fire sparked late on Friday night and set the 105-foot-tall historic building ablaze for hours. The southern portion of the building collapsed Monday as demolition crews worked to bring down the gutted structure.

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

While neither Cal Fire nor the Sheriff’s Office have confirmed whether the fire was arson, the Sheriff’s Office sent a news release Monday asking the public to help with its investigation.

Sheriff’s detectives ask anyone who was in the area between South Main Street and Templeton Park between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on July 4, or who may have surveillance footage from that time frame, to contact the Sheriff’s Office.

Firefighters continue to work on the burned-out ruins of the Templeton Feed & Grain building on July 5, 2025, after the historic structure caught fire late on the night of the Fourth of July.

The agency also shared three surveillance photos that show multiple individuals seen in the area who it has identified as persons of interest. Detectives are working to identify the four to six individuals, who were all wearing dark clothing. One person also carried a backpack, photos show.

Those in the photos may have also spoken with individuals “associated with” a nearby vehicle, the agency said, adding that detectives hope to speak to the occupants of the vehicle.

Anyone with information that could help with the fire investigation is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Detective Division at 805-781-4500. Anonymous tips can be shared through Crime Stoppers at 805-549-7867 or online at slotips.com.