Full Notification

In the past 24-hours, an unknown suspect has started fires in and around the Cities of El Cerrito and Richmond. Yesterday afternoon, officers from our neighboring Richmond Police Department responded to several small fires in public areas which were quickly extinguished. Most of the fires were limited to shrubs and garbage cans. During the morning hours of August 21st, four additional fires were reported along San Pablo Avenue. During the fourth fire, a woman was sleeping in her car near the old Taco Bell parking lot (11900 block of San Pablo Avenue) when an unknown suspect set her vehicle on fire. The woman was able to escape but sustained several severe burns. The woman was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. El Cerrito and Richmond law enforcement and fire department personnel are collaborating in hopes of identifying a suspect and motive. At this time there is no suspect information. Investigators are asking anyone with information about these fires to call dispatch at 510-233-1214.