Tools stolen from project that burned in 6-alarm Emeryville fire
EMERYVILLE, Calif. (BCN) - Emeryville police said today that someone took miscellaneous tools Sunday from a construction site that then went up in flames during a six-alarm fire early Wednesday morning.
Around noon Sunday, a security guard notified police that tools such as a hammer, drill, flashlight and radio were missing from a construction project called the Intersection at 3800 San Pablo Ave., Emeryville police Chief Jennifer Tejada said.
But Tejada said the theft is not believed to be connected to the fire, which was reported at about 2:45 a.m. Wednesday at the site where developers proposed to rehabilitate the historic Maz Building with 105 apartments and 25,000 square feet of commercial space.
The fire destroyed the Intersection, as well as an auto repair shop, including 12 cars, and four adjacent townhouses, Alameda County Deputy Fire Chief Jim Call said.
A National Response Team deployed today out of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to help local and state authorities determine the cause and origin of the fire.
The ATF deploys its NRT to help federal, state and local agencies investigate large explosions and arson incidents. Local fire officials have not said they suspect arson in Wednesday's fire, but Tejada said everything is on the table with a fire like this.
NRT members are expected to arrive on site Friday, according to the ATF.
About 100 firefighters from various regional fire agencies responded to the blaze, which was contained by 7:50 a.m.
No injuries were reported, which is "the best news," Call said.
About 50 people were displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross at the Emeryville Senior Center at 4321 Salem St., according to Call.
Only scaffolding remained standing among the charred wreckage of the five-story building.
Fire crews used a drone from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to provide command staff with thermal imaging and an aerial view of the fire to see what hot spots needed to be put out, Call said.
East Bay Municipal Utility District officials increased water pressure at the scene to help firefighters with the defensive attack of the fire, according to fire officials.
Alameda County Fire Department spokeswoman Aisha Knowles said this morning she could not say whether the fire was under control but said she will report when the fire is extinguished.
Knowles said it's too early to say how much damage in dollars the fire caused.