Berkeley police investigate encampment arson report
One witness said a man in his 30s threw a burning object into an occupied SUV before leaving the area, police said over the radio.
Authorities are investigating a possible arson report that injured a dog and destroyed a vehicle at a West Berkeley homeless encampment Friday night.
Police said a Bayer security guard called for help Friday for a woman who had been in her SUV at a homeless encampment, near Carleton and Seventh streets, when a man reportedly threw a burning object inside shortly before 10:40 p.m.
The woman managed to escape largely unscathed but her dog sustained serious injuries when the vehicle became engulfed in flames, according to early reports.
The blaze destroyed the SUV, authorities said.
Berkeley police and firefighters responded quickly to the security guard's report. They were on scene within minutes.
Police worked to gather information as firefighters doused the flames.
One arriving officer reported that the dog had been "badly injured" and said the incident may have been arson, according to radio traffic reviewed by The Scanner.
BFD called for an investigator to look into the case.
A witness said a man in his 30s wearing a gray jacket had thrown a burning object into the SUV before leaving the area, police said over the radio.
After the fire, the woman took her dog to an emergency veterinary hospital for treatment, according to radio dispatches.
No information was available about its condition Monday as of publication time.
Councilman Terry Taplin, who represents the West Berkeley district where the incident happened, called it "deeply concerning," particularly as there have been other car fires in the vicinity.
"I am committed to policies that enable the city to resolve health and safety hazards in the public right of way," he said after publication.
Taplin said he wants to work with local, county and state officials "to clarify the city’s existing authority with respect to encampment resolution and to pursue necessary changes to eliminate impediments to the ability of local jurisdictions to both get people off of the streets and keep public spaces clear of hazards."
Editor's Note: This story was updated after publication with comments from Terry Taplin. The Scanner has also asked BFD if any additional details are available.
