The State - News from April 23, 1986

Arson is suspected in three residential fires that broke out within two hours of each other near the University of California, Berkeley, campus. Berkeley Fire Chief Vic Porter, who said he suspected arson, said there were no injuries. The fires all started in basements near gas meters, he said. The most serious fire was at a six-unit housing cooperative on Euclid Street. Porter said the fire spread into the walls, engulfed the basement and moved to the second floor. Many of the 10 residents fled in their nightclothes. One was rescued from a balcony by firefighters. Damage was estimated at $300,000 in that fire, but figures for the other two buildings were not available.