Burning Tennis Ball Ignited Fire That Destroyed Home, Cars

MARTINEZ, CA — The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District released more information about the cause of a fire Wednesday that destroyed a home and storage yard in the unincorporated Vine Hill neighborhood and threatened at least a dozen other homes.

Investigation revealed the fire originated in the back yard of a neighboring home on Arthur Road and quickly spread through dry grass to the home above, Con Fire Spokesperson Steve Hill said Thursday in a news release.

The fire was caused by three teenage boys playing with fire, Hill said, however, no fireworks were involved.

"The three teens had a fire in a pit they had dug in the back yard and ignited a tennis ball and played stick ball with it," Hill said. "One of them hit the burning tennis ball into some dry vegetation resulting in the grass fire."

The fire raced up a hill and consumed a house and an extensive storage yard on the property that consisted of several cars and other vehicles.

"Sounds of explosions from the fire scene were caused by vehicles and propane tanks burning," Hill said. "A dozen homes surrounding the fire structure were protected by firefighters in a swift and overwhelming response."

The fire displaced three people who lived in the home.

The three boys were released to the custody of their parents because they had no criminal histories and because of the accidental nature of the fire, Hill said.

Fire investigators will forward the case to the Contra Costa County Juvenile District Attorney and the Youth Fire Setter program.