A suspected arson fire was ignited behind a discount store in Turlock Monday afternoon.

Around 2:30 p.m. Monday the Turlock Fire Department was dispatched to the 99 Cent Store at 701 N. Golden State Boulevard for a report of a fire behind the store, said Turlock Fire Capt. Kevin Tidwell.

The first firefighters to arrive at the scene found a stack of baled cardboard and pallets had been set ablaze.

The flames were encroaching upon the store’s main electrical panels, Tidwell said.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire. An additional crew made a check of the roof of the store to verify the flames had not extended to that point. There was no fire damage to the roof or any other parts of the building. The incident did not necessitate an evacuation of the store.

The fire has been ruled an arson. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the fire department at 668-5580.