Fresno firefighters suspend search for body in Tower District canal and issue a warning

A Fresno firefighter water team was unable to recover a body Sunday morning after searching a canal in the city’s Tower District.

Witnesses reported that a person had fallen into the canal near East Olive and North Blackstone avenues about 7 a.m., firefighters reported.

Battalion Chief Dan O’Meara said firefighters caught a glimpse of a body in the waterway, but were unable to reach the victim before the department’s water team could arrive on scene. A search was abandoned after several hours when the victim’s body could not be located.

O’Meara cautioned residents to stay clear of city waterways, saying the water is moving swiftly and is very cold.