Berkeley police investigate SUV fire, suspected arson

Berkeley Fire

The fire brigade quickly extinguished the fire, thanks in part to a nearby fire hydrant. Many details are still unknown.

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack early Thursday morning that completely engulfed an SUV in a normally quiet Berkeley neighborhood.

Several community members asked The Scanner to find out what happened, saying they were particularly concerned because there were numerous trees in the area from which the flames could have spread.

The Berkeley Fire Department was dispatched to a burning vehicle on Encina Place near The Uplands and Parkside Drive around 4:15 a.m.

According to emergency calls seen by The Scanner, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, thanks in part to a nearby fire hydrant.

A video provided by a community member who wished to remain anonymous showed the vehicle completely engulfed in flames and the alarm going off.

“I’m not sure what happened this morning, but when I woke up I noticed this,” one reader told The Scanner.

Over the radio, the BFD described the incident as “obvious arson” and asked for a police response at around 4:30 a.m.

Berkeley police said limited information was available as of Thursday afternoon due to the ongoing investigation.

Police confirmed that no one was in the vehicle when it caught fire.

The Scanner is looking for further details and will update this story as they become available.