2 Arson Fires Logged In 1 Night In Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – Two suspected arson fires broke out in Antioch around 10 p.m. Thursday, ultimately affecting seven structures, fire officials said today.

The first fire was reported around 9:56 a.m. at a vacant home at the intersection of West Madill Street and A Street, according to Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Fire Marshal Robert Marshall.

Smoke and flames were coming out of that house when firefighters arrived, Marshall said.

The second fire was reported around 10:01 p.m. in a former crematorium building in the 1200 block of A Street near West 10th Street, according to Marshall. When firefighters arrived, the building was completely
engulfed, he said.

The fires spread to other structures, according to Marshall.

"All of the structures that burned were vacant buildings," Marshall said. "On Madill Street a fourth building was damaged, making it seven structures that were affected. Four residential, two outbuildings and
one commercial structure (the crematorium) were affected."

East Contra Costa Fire helped Contra Costa County firefighters battle the blazes.

No one was injured in the fires, according to Marshall.

Two other suspicious fires hit Antioch this week, one on Sunday at a church on Lone Tree Way, and one on Monday at a florist shop on A Street, Marshall said.

"There have been numerous fires in the area. We don't know whether or not they are all related, whether the same person or group of people are responsible," Marshall said.

Firefighters do believe the two fires last night were connected, he said.

An investigation is underway.

• ALSO SEE: Cordelia Gun Exchange: Suspect Arrested For Break-In, Fire

--Image courtesy of East Contra Costa Fire Protection District