CON FIRE Announces Arrest After Fireworks-Related Fire In San Pablo

From Con Fire:

CONCORD, CALIF., June 17, 2021 – Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) today announced its fire investigators made a fireworks-related arrest Tuesday in relation to a fireworks-caused fire on an apartment balcony in the 15000 block of Crestwood Drive, San
Pablo.

A 16-year-old resident of San Pablo was arrested for Fire to Inhabited Structures (PC § 452(b)) and Possession of Dangerous Fireworks (California Health and Safety Code § 12700). The juvenile’s name is not being released because of his age. He was released to his parents’ custody after the arrest.

Con Fire responded to reports of a residential apartment deck on fire, with an explosion heard prior to the fire. The fire was contained to the balcony area, yet there was extensive smoke and water damage to the entire apartment. A fire sprinkler just inside the apartment’s open deck door helped contain spread of the fire.

Arriving on scene, investigators determined the fire was the result of a five-inch mortar type firework being set off on the second story balcony of the apartment and identified the responsible party as a 16-year-old male living there.

Additional fireworks of the same type were removed from the apartment.

Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit will present the case to the District Attorney for juvenile matters and refer the responsible party to the Youth Fire Setter Program.

Use of fireworks of any type is illegal in Contra Costa County and exceedingly dangerous during these drought conditions. Con Fire urges anyone observing fireworks being used to report this to their local law enforcement non-emergency line and to report all fires immediately to 911.

Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit asks residents to help them fight the crime of arson across the county by calling the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON. They caution residents not to hesitate on information that seems too little or unimportant to matter, adding some of the most valuable tips come from residents who were not aware what they saw was very important to the investigation of an incident.

At 1-866-50-ARSON, residents can leave a recorded message about fire-related criminal activity in English or Spanish. Tips can be anonymous, but all tips are treated confidentially. Fire investigators sometimes need additional information, so inclusion of name and phone number is encouraged.