Berkeley Animal Shelter fire was intentional, police say
"Information provided by community members may be critical to advancing the investigation," Berkeley police said Tuesday.
Berkeley police have asked for help to determine who set the city's animal shelter on fire over the weekend.
Police opened an arson investigation after the fire, which took place Saturday night.
No one was hurt, but the shelter is now closed — perhaps for months — and all the animals have been relocated, the city said Tuesday.
"After reviewing security surveillance footage from the area, detectives believe that the fire was intentionally lit," Berkeley police said in a brief prepared statement Tuesday afternoon. "The investigation remains active and ongoing as detectives continue to gather evidence and identify those involved."
Authorities previously said there was a broken window near the area that burned, beneath the first-floor stairwell where the shelter collected donations.
Police said they were able to determine from the security footage that someone had thrown something at the window to break it Saturday night.
Police have not shared any suspect description information or other details.
But they ask anyone who may have information about the case to call BPD's Property Crimes Unit at 510-981-5737.
"Information provided by community members may be critical to advancing the investigation," police said.
