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.”
No no no no
Suspects???
Descriptions?
We’ve had some but letting the PD do the PD thing at the moment…
Following
From the picture, it looks like the building was all boarded up. I wonder if homeless were living in there.
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Have no fear, Firestone 11R is working this case.
Firestone 11R
West Hollywood 91R
Malibu 108RS
Is it just us or is anyone else hearing the theme song from “Mighty Mouse” right now?
Here I come to save the day!!!
We are the dwindling crew of the greatest generation of early cartoon afficionados.
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.
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.
To each his own and all. But give us Foghorn Leghorn or Marvin the Martian and it was a laugh fest every morning…
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.
We have our feelers out and are waiting for something official, too… thanks!
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.
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.
This is likely not a Save the Tiger scenario.
Kids? Homeless?
Why would someone want to burn down an old building?
“…..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.
“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.
I knew exactly what you meant – because I read books.
Thanks! It does help because, you know… we use words when we write.
Arrests??