Arson ruled as cause of massive fire that destroyed Concord development
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Photo: Contra Costa County Fire Protection District / Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Image 1 of 8 A major fire in Concord destroyed an apartment building that was under construction in the early hours of April 24, 2018. On Wednesday, investigators announced that the fire was caused by arson. A major fire in Concord destroyed an apartment building that was under construction in the early hours of April 24, 2018. On Wednesday, investigators announced that the fire was caused by arson. Photo: Contra Costa County Fire Protection District / Image 2 of 8 An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month — forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence — was started intentionally, federal authorities said Wednesday. less An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month — forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence — was started ... more Photo: / Image 3 of 8 An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month — forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence — was started intentionally, federal authorities said Wednesday. less An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month — forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence — was started ... more Photo: KTVU Image 4 of 8 An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month — forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence — was started intentionally, federal authorities said Wednesday. less An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month — forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence — was started ... more Photo: KTVU Image 5 of 8 Image 6 of 8 An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month — forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence — was started intentionally, federal authorities said Wednesday. less An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month — forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence — was started ... more Photo: KTVU Image 7 of 8 An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month — forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence — was started intentionally, federal authorities said Wednesday. less An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month — forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence — was started ... more Photo: KTVU Image 8 of 8 Arson ruled as cause of massive fire that destroyed Concord development 1 / 8 Back to Gallery
An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month — forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence — was started intentionally, federal authorities said Wednesday.
The April 24 blaze at 1905 Concord Blvd. occurred around 1 a.m. and caused an estimated $55 million in damage. The blaze forced 250 people to flee their homes at the nearby Renaissance Square apartments, and two people were treated for smoke inhalation.
Officials for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said surveillance video captured an image of a person believed to be arsonist. The video shows a person climbing a fence to enter the structure just before the fire was reported, authorities said.
Officials are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the suspected arsonist’s arrest.
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The 265,000 square feet development was slated to build 180 apartments.
The incident is the latest East Bay fire at an under-construction complex ruled to be arson by federal investigators.
In the past two years, two fires at the same under-construction housing complex in Emeryville and another fire in Oakland that displaced 700 nearby residents were ruled arson, prompting concerns about a possible connection.
Officials asked that anyone with information about the Concord fire contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-FIRE (283-3473), visit www.reportit.com or use the mobile “reportit” app, available both on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: meganrcassidy
Arson ruled as cause of massive fire that destroyed Concord development window _ taboola = window _ taboola _ taboola . push mode thumbnails-c container taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-5 placement Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 5 target_type mix _ taboola . push flush true window _ taboola = window _ taboola _ taboola . push mode thumbnails-c container taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-8 placement Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 8 target_type mix _ taboola . push flush true Photo Contra Costa County Fire Protection District / Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Image 1 of 8 A major fire in Concord destroyed an apartment building that was under construction in the early hours of April 24, 2018 On Wednesday investigators announced that the fire was caused by arson A major fire in Concord destroyed an apartment building that was under construction in the early hours of April 24, 2018 On Wednesday investigators announced that the fire was caused by arson Photo Contra Costa County Fire Protection District / Image 2 of 8 An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence was started intentionally federal authorities said Wednesday less An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence was started more Photo : / Image 3 of 8 An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence was started intentionally federal authorities said Wednesday less An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence was started more Photo KTVU Image 4 of 8 An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence was started intentionally federal authorities said Wednesday less An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence was started more Photo KTVU Image 5 of 8 Image 6 of 8 An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence was started intentionally federal authorities said Wednesday less An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence was started more Photo KTVU Image 7 of 8 An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence was started intentionally federal authorities said Wednesday less An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence was started more Photo KTVU Image 8 of 8 Arson ruled as cause of massive fire that destroyed Concord development 1 / 8 Back to Gallery An early morning fire that decimated a five-story residential complex under construction in Concord last month forcing the evacuation of 250 people from a neighboring residence was started intentionally federal authorities said Wednesday The April 24 blaze at 1905 Concord Blvd. occurred around 1 a.m. and caused an estimated $55 million in damage The blaze forced 250 people to flee their homes at the nearby Renaissance Square apartments and two people were treated for smoke inhalation Officials for the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives said surveillance video captured an image of a person believed to be arsonist The video shows a person climbing a fence to enter the structure just before the fire was reported authorities said Officials are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the suspected arsonist’s arrest Now Playing The 265,000 square feet development was slated to build 180 apartments The incident is the latest East Bay fire at an under-construction complex ruled to be arson by federal investigators In the past two years two fires at the same under-construction housing complex in Emeryville and another fire in Oakland that displaced 700 nearby residents were ruled arson prompting concerns about a possible connection Officials asked that anyone with information about the Concord fire contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-FIRE  283-3473 visit www.reportit.com or use the mobile reportit app available both on Google Play and the Apple App Store Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Email megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter meganrcassidy