Homeless Person Suspected Of Starting Berkeley Fire

BERKELEY, CA — A fire on Monday night that destroyed a shed behind the former Ace Hardware store in downtown Berkeley may have been caused by an open flame that was left by a homeless person who stays in that area, a fire official said today.

The fire at the shed behind the former store at 2145 University Ave. was reported at about 10:15 p.m. on Monday and was declared under control at 10:32 p.m., Berkeley Assistant Fire Chief Keith May said.

The shed was destroyed and the building where the hardware store was located also was damaged, according to May.

Fire officials estimate that the fire caused a total of about $40,000 in damage to the shed and the main building, he said.

It's also estimated that radiant heat from the fire caused an additional $40,000 worth of damage to an adjacent apartment building, according to May.

The open flame that may have started the fire might have come from a warming or cooking device, May said.

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock