Firefighters responded to a pair of Friday morning blazes — a suspicious fire at a commercial building and a laundry room fire.
(10:50 a.m. update: View the full press releases for both of these incidents below this article.)
At 1 a.m. emergency crews were sent to 4569 Las Positas Road for a possible structure fire at a commercial building.
Livermore-Pleasanton Battalion Chief Joe Testa said the fire started in an office, which activated the building's fire sprinkler system. Fire crews were able to knock down the blaze and the cause is still under investigation.
There were no people inside the building when firefighters arrived on scene. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Firefighters later that morning at 7:45 a.m. responded to a report of a residential structure fire on the 200 block of Edythe Street, near Wall Street.
Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, which started and was confined to the home's laundry room, Testa said.
All occupants of the house and pets were able to evacuate the residence prior to firefighters arriving on scene.
No injuries were reported in the blaze.
Here's further information on the suspicious blaze provided by the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department:
On November 23, 2012 at 12:59 a.m., units (1 Engine, 1 Truck and 1 Battalion Chief) from the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department were dispatched to the report of a fire alarm activation in the 4500 block of Las Positas Road in Livermore. The first unit arrived at 01:06 and found a fire alarm sounding, smoke, and fire from a commercial occupancy. The building contained both offices and a warehouse area. When the first unit arrived and found that the alarm sounding call was due to a confirmed fire, additional resources were dispatched making this a “first alarm” structure fire.
Prior to LPFD arrival, the fire sprinkler system had activated and was preventing the fire from spreading further into the building. LPFD units were able to access the building and extinguish the remaining fire within about 15 minutes. The fire did not spread past the room of origin. Smoke and water damage was present throughout a large portion of the business though. The last LPFD unit was
released from the scene at 02:56.
A total of 24 LPFD personnel responded via 4 Engines, 2 Trucks and 4 Chief Officer SUV’s to this incident. The business was closed and unoccupied at the time of the incident. No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported.
The origin of the fire was found to be an office at the corner of the building. The cause is suspicious, but remains under investigation. The scene was held by the Livermore Police Department overnight, and the investigation will continue today.
Damage estimates are not yet available. The majority of the damage was due to smoke and water as the actual fire damage was limited to the area of origin.
Here's further details on the Edythe Street fire:
On November 23, 2012 at 7:47 a.m., the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department was dispatched to the report of a residential structure fire on the 200 block of Edythe St. in Livermore. The first unit arrived at 7:52 and found a single family detached residence with heavy smoke from the outside. Firefighters made entry to the building and extinguished a fire in the laundry room of the residence within 10 minutes of arrival. The flame damage was held to the laundry room, but there was smoke damage present throughout the residence.
Prior to LPFD arrival, the two occupants were able to escape the home safely with their pets. The homeowners reported being alerted to the fire by a popping sound from the laundry room. A total of 18 LPFD personnel responded to this incident. No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported.
The origin of the fire was found to be the laundry room, and the probable cause was the malfunction of a refrigerator that was kept in that room. The amount of goods stored near the area of origin contributed to the smoke and fire damage.
It is estimated that there was $25,000 of damage to the home, and another $25,000 of damage to the contents for a total estimated fire damage of $50,000. The home was not inhabitable after the fire, but the homeowners were allowed in to the residence to gather their belongings.
