Four Fires, Eight Months: Coincidence, or Pattern?

A fire erupted near the University Avenue overpass of I-80 this afternoon; a homeless man was rescued by the firefighters, who do not yet know the cause of the fire. 

This is the fourth fire of outdoor origin in eight months along the Berkeley-Albany stretch of waterfront and environs (west of San Pablo Avenue).   The cause of the first three remain unknown; this one is of course still under investigation.

The first of these fires occurred in early October 2013 on the North Basin Strip in Berkeley; a news report here on Patch said that fire "may have been caused by a homeless encampment."   The second occurred about a month later, here in Albany, just west of University Village; a news report, also here on Patch, said "[t]he remains of a homeless encampment could be seen in the burn area. A UC employee said a homeless person was seen trying to beat down flames with a blanket." 

The third fire, also in Albany, burned the Bulb library to the ground on January 12, 2014. 

Four fires in eight months seems like a large number such a limited area, even given its large numbers of homeless encampments.  Both the North Basin Strip fire and the Bulb library fire have been attributed by local rumor (though not by the authorities) to intentional acts of a homeless woman (or women) suffering from poor mental health. 

Let's hope that fire investigators do a thorough job that includes an examination of the series of fires for any similarities - and that they keep the public posted on their progress. 

Whatever the outcome of the fire investigation, let's urge the cities of Albany and Berkeley to collaborate long beyond the resolution of the Bulb situation to fund the work - of BF&HP, the Homeless Action Center. and others - connecting chronically homeless people in the area with opportunities for shelter, benefits, and social services. 

It is not only the compassionate thing to do, it is a matter of public health and safety, including fire risk, and it will require sustained attention over the long term.