The City Council has allocated $200,000 to move toward the expensive task of undergrounding power lines — which experts say can prevent fires and help with evacuation.
Both Berkeley and Oakland firefighters responded to the call because the house is set on a street with a Berkeley mailing address that is actually inside Oakland city limits.
Many fires are caused by downed power lines, but while some say a new PG&E shutoff policy makes sense, others believe cutting power during an emergency puts people at greater risk.
A grass fire at Aquatic Park on Tuesday led to the arrest of a homeless woman in the area on suspicion of felony arson, police report.
Fire crews in downtown Berkeley quickly brought a blaze at the old Ace Hardware building under control Monday night as neighbors were removed temporarily, authorities report.
While 2017 was the most destructive year ever for wildfires, 2018 is already proving worse. Fire officials are encouraging people to clear brush and plan fire evacuation routes.
Police and firefighters were dispatched to West Berkeley early Sunday evening for a fire tied to a homeless encampment at Second and Page streets, authorities report.
Berkeley Fire and Police responded to a fire which broke out in front of the church at 1927 Sixth St., at University. One man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson.
Crews responded to a fire at the Berkeley Asphalt Company plant on Virginia Street on Friday morning.
A woman was taken to Highland Hospital with moderate injuries Friday after she was burned in an explosion in a West Berkeley apartment, authorities report.
Undergrounding utilities in Berkeley would provide some safety benefits and aesthetic upgrades. But it’s the equivalent of doing a kitchen remodel before replacing the leaky roof.
A fire at a homeless camp in West Berkeley caused black, billowing smoke to be visible across the city Friday morning.
Notices of violation around the Old City Hall homeless camps order residents to clear out immediately.
© Berkeleyside. All Rights Reserved.
