History Burns In San Ramon Wednesday; Suspects Sought

Photo: San Ramon Jillian

A neighborhood canvass for possible suspects is underway after a fire broke out at the famed Harlan House location on San Ramon Valley Boulevard in the city Wednesday morning. Crews were met by heavy smoke and fire from the upper floor of the Gold Rush-era structure upon arrival, deploying an aerial ladder to help staunch the flames.

It is currently unknown how much of structure was saved although a building inspector has been summoned. Photos depict a dramatic roof collapse and some have reported that the structure’s chimney has toppled.

The canvass was conducted after witnesses reported seeing numerous juveniles running from the location as the fire began to grow. Police Chief Denton Carlson said several juveniles were located nearby but that investigators are still working to determine the extent of their involvement. Both police and fire investigators are conducting an ongoing collaborative investigation into the cause of the fire.

“We do not know yet the severity of the structural damage, but it doesn’t look good,” Carlson said. “… which is sad for a building that has such historic significant to the City of San Ramon and the entire San Ramon Valley.”

Related Articles

26 Comments

  1. Siobhan Hunter-Maartz on Jul 16, 2025 at 11:31 am

    No no no no

  2. Tierza on Jul 16, 2025 at 11:35 am

    Suspects???

  3. Carol on Jul 16, 2025 at 12:07 pm

    Descriptions?

    • NEWS24-680 on Jul 16, 2025 at 12:08 pm

      We’ve had some but letting the PD do the PD thing at the moment…

  4. Eliades House on Jul 16, 2025 at 12:55 pm

    Following

  5. George on Jul 16, 2025 at 1:08 pm

    From the picture, it looks like the building was all boarded up. I wonder if homeless were living in there.

  6. Amy on Jul 16, 2025 at 1:32 pm

    How do I get your alerts?

  7. Jeff on Jul 16, 2025 at 2:31 pm

    Have no fear, Firestone 11R is working this case.

    Firestone 11R
    West Hollywood 91R
    Malibu 108RS

    • NEWS24-680 on Jul 16, 2025 at 2:38 pm

      Is it just us or is anyone else hearing the theme song from “Mighty Mouse” right now?

      • David on Jul 16, 2025 at 7:55 pm

        Here I come to save the day!!!

        We are the dwindling crew of the greatest generation of early cartoon afficionados.

        • NEWS24-680 on Jul 16, 2025 at 8:02 pm

          We were never big on most of the comics and cartoons of the day, choosing astrophysics during our early years but we loved those Mel Blanc-voiced ‘toons. Looking back at them now, they seem quite “adult” for their intended audience.

          • David on Jul 16, 2025 at 8:19 pm

            Well then, may I never look back and only remember them with frozen-in-time childlike innocence because that was then in my journey. Today is a wholly different cartoon. The 4th wall has collapsed. Absurdity and cruelty now abound in my adult world.



          • NEWS24-680 on Jul 16, 2025 at 8:27 pm

            To each his own and all. But give us Foghorn Leghorn or Marvin the Martian and it was a laugh fest every morning…



  8. JB on Jul 16, 2025 at 3:13 pm

    The neighborhood is all a-twitter with unverified info. Heard everything from 4 middle schoolers on e-bikes, someone lighting fireworks, and homeless squatters. I met a new chatty neighbor who says a few unhoused folks often live in the building, but the owner and SRPD had cleared them out. Waiting to hear something official.

    Thanks to the fire department who is still out there working. The chimney is down and they were covering the building with foam. Really a shame.

    • NEWS24-680 on Jul 16, 2025 at 3:23 pm

      We have our feelers out and are waiting for something official, too… thanks!

  9. Camilia on Jul 16, 2025 at 3:16 pm

    What a shame, I’m surprised the building was left abandoned all this time given its historical significance. Such a missed opportunity to make it a historical attraction for locals to enjoy.

  10. Hi Bob on Jul 16, 2025 at 3:45 pm

    Find it very odd that owner of property along with city officials expressed how important this historical landmark was to the community few years back. And then let it rot – unkept and without any security surveillance. Shame on them! And also highly suspicious.

    • David on Jul 16, 2025 at 8:00 pm

      This is likely not a Save the Tiger scenario.

  11. Nicky on Jul 16, 2025 at 5:26 pm

    Kids? Homeless?

  12. Terry on Jul 16, 2025 at 8:48 pm

    Why would someone want to burn down an old building?

  13. Jim S. on Jul 17, 2025 at 12:09 am

    “…..deploying an aerial ladder to help staunch the flames.” “staunch” the flames? What does that mean?

    It’s sad to lose the historical building this way.

    • NEWS24-680 on Jul 17, 2025 at 4:38 am

      “Staunch the flames” means to stop or extinguish them. It implies a decisive action to halt the spread of fire, similar to stopping the flow of blood from a wound. The verb “staunch” (or “stanch”) can also mean to stop something from flowing or spreading. While “staunch” is often used as an adjective to describe someone loyal and steadfast, in this context, it functions as a verb. The phrase emphasizes a need to quickly and effectively control the flames.

      • Danielle on Jul 17, 2025 at 9:55 am

        I knew exactly what you meant – because I read books.

        • NEWS24-680 on Jul 17, 2025 at 10:01 am

          Thanks! It does help because, you know… we use words when we write.

  14. Clem Baudin on Jul 18, 2025 at 11:24 am

    Arrests??

Leave a Comment