Features

Middle School Arson 

An arson blaze just after midnight Monday caused about $1,000 in damage to construction materials at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, said Berkeley Deputy Fire Chief David Orth. 

The arsonist ignited a fire next to an acetylene w elding tank near construction materials at the 1781 Rose St. school. 

“Neighbors called to report an explosion and flames at 12:17 a.m.,” Orth said. “We dispatched three engines, a truck and an ambulance.” 

Firefighters arrived to find several small fires scattered among construction materials and quickly extinguished the flames. 

While there have been several arson fires at East Bay schools in recent weeks, Orth said they don’t appear to be related to the Berkeley fire. Investigators are, however, lookin g into possible links between Monday’s fire and a May 4 arson at Congregation Beth El that damaged a portable concrete mixer. Orth said he was waiting to review security tapes made at the school, which could help identify a suspect. 

Candles Ignite Dresse r 

Candles left burning and unattended early Sunday morning on a third floor apartment bedroom at 2918 Harper St. caused $3,000 in damage to a dresser and a wall before firefighters extinguished the blaze.›