Berkeley police investigate SUV fire, suspected arson

Berkeley Fire

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, thanks in part to a nearby fire hydrant. Many details remain unknown.

Police are investigating a suspected arson early Thursday morning that saw an SUV fully engulfed in flames in a typically quiet Berkeley neighborhood.

Several community members asked The Scanner to find out what happened, noting they were particularly concerned because of the many trees in the area that could have spread the flames.

Berkeley firefighters were dispatched to Encina Place, near The Uplands and Parkside Drive, for a vehicle on fire around 4:15 a.m.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly, thanks in part to a nearby fire hydrant, according to emergency dispatches reviewed by The Scanner.

Video provided by a community member who asked to remain anonymous showed the vehicle fully engulfed in flames as its alarm sounded.

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

On the radio, BFD described the incident as “obvious arson” and requested police intervention around 4:30 a.m.

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

Police confirmed no one was inside the vehicle when it burned.

The Scanner is seeking additional details and will update this story if they become available.