Full Notification

For Immediate Release
July 14, 2016


ATF, local investigators offering $10,000 reward for information
about 6-alarm Emeryville fire

SAN FRANCISCO – A six-alarm fire that severely damaged an apartment complex construction site and nearby buildings in Emeryville, California, is still under investigation.

ATF’s San Francisco Field Division is offering up to a $10,000 reward for information that assists investigators in determining the cause of the fire at 3800 San Pablo Ave., July 6.

The Alameda County Fire Department, Alameda County Fire Investigation Task Force and ATF’s National Response Team (NRT) began investigating the scene July 7. The team spent the past several days interviewing witnesses, reviewing photos and videos, analyzing debris and reconstructing the scene. Their objective was to determine origin and cause of the blaze.

“We are awaiting laboratory results and other information, and we anticipate receiving a full report in the next 30 days,” said San Francisco Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jill A. Snyder. “If anyone has information about what occurred that morning, we encourage them to come forward.”

Alameda County Fire Chief David Rocha said, “I am thankful for all the agencies who have provided assistance in fire suppression and the investigation. We look forward to continued collaboration with the local ATF bureau as the fire investigation progresses.”

Anyone with information on the fire is encouraged to call 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888-283-3473).

The NRT concluded their scene work in Emeryville July 13. The concentrated effort allowed investigators to quickly and thoroughly examine the scene and get the investigation into a manageable position for local investigators to continue. The Alameda County Fire Department will continue with the investigation with the assistance of the local ATF office.

ATF is the only federal agency with the responsibility and ability to investigate fires and crimes of arson. Much of its expertise and state-of-the-art equipment is assigned to the National Response Team, which deploys around the country and the world to help investigate large-scale and complex fire and explosives scenes at the request of local agencies. More information on NRT can be found at https://www.atf.gov/explosives/national-response-team.

The Alameda County Fire Investigation Task Force is an association of fire and police investigators across the county who can be called upon to support fire and police investigations. Along with ATF, Alameda County Fire Department and Emeryville Police Department, members who are also actively participating in this investigation include Piedmont, Oakland and City of Alameda Fire Departments, Oakland Police Department and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. Inspectors with the DA’s office are the liaison and coordinators of the task force.

The Alameda County Fire Department provides all-risk emergency services to the unincorporated areas of Alameda County (excluding Fairview), the cities of San Leandro, Dublin, Newark and Union City and Emeryville, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. With 29 fire stations and 35 companies serving a population of 394,000, the ACFD serves densely populated urban areas, waterways, industrialized centers, extensive urban interface, agricultural and wildland regions. Over 400 personnel and 100 Reserve Firefighters provide a wide variety of services to an ever expanding, dynamic and diverse community of roughly 508 square miles.