Body found in Berkeley after small fire on Fifth Street
Authorities say it's too soon to know anything about the person who died or whether the cause of death was suspicious.
A death investigation is underway Friday night in Berkeley after authorities discovered a body outside while extinguishing a small blaze on Fifth Street.
Berkeley police said it's too soon to know whether the cause of death is suspicious.
Firefighters responded just before 8:30 p.m. to a report of a fire at Fifth and Harrison streets in northwest Berkeley.
According to emergency dispatches reviewed by The Scanner, a caller said the fire was 6-8 feet from a building near an electrical box that appeared to be catching on fire.
"They also see a tent, but do not see or hear anyone near the tent," a dispatcher told police.
Berkeley police and firefighters responded quickly. Officers blocked traffic while BFD put out the small fire outside 1206 Fifth St. before it could impact the office building nearby.
A death investigation on Fifth Street in northwest Berkeley. Emilie Raguso/TBS
As they were investigating the damage, first responders realized there was a body near what had been a tent outside.
They froze the scene and called for supervisors to respond.
Berkeley police taped off the area to block off vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
A passer-by on a bicycle told The Scanner that a woman lived in a tent on the block.
Police said no details about the deceased individual were immediately available.
As of publication time, police and firefighters remained in the area and the investigation was still underway.
This story will be updated as soon as more information is available.
