Berkeley man, 60, sustains serious injuries in apartment fire
A 911 caller reported "dark smoke" coming from the second-story window of the building on Colusa Avenue, BFD said.
A man was taken to the hospital with serious injuries this week after a fire broke out in his North Berkeley apartment near Solano Avenue, authorities report.
Another resident of the same apartment was referred to the American Red Cross for housing after the city deemed the unit uninhabitable at this time, the Berkeley Fire Department said.
On Wednesday at 9:40 a.m., a 911 caller reported "dark smoke" coming from the second-story window of a multi-unit residential building in the 900 block of Colusa Avenue, BFD said.
As firefighters arrived, one of the residents was coming outside.
Authorities investigated a fire at a small apartment building on Colusa Avenue this week. Emilie Raguso/TBS
"A second occupant was located inside, brought outside, and transported to a local trauma hospital with serious injuries," BFD said. "There was no significant damage reported to the structure and the cause of the fire is unknown at this time."
Hours after the fire, a burned mattress and bed frame remained on a walkway in the front yard not far from a burned pile of clothing.
A city notice posted on the door referenced water damage from the fire, smoke damage to the walls, posing a health hazard, and compromised wiring in an upstairs bedroom.
According to BPD, the fire department also found materials at the scene Wednesday that raised suspicions about possible drug use, resulting in a police search of the unit later that day.
As of Thursday, Berkeley police said, the investigation was ongoing. No arrests had been made.
This story will be updated if additional details become available.
