Kids Caused Fire That Destroyed Martinez Home, Con Fire Says

MARTINEZ, CA — A fire Wednesday in unincorporated Martinez that destroyed a home and a storage yard and threatened a dozen more homes was started by three kids playing with fire, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said.

"Con Fire investigators determined [the] Cambark fire originated in [a] backyard on Arthur Road," Con Fire said Wednesday evening on Twitter. "Cause [was] 3 youth playing with fire, that got out of hand in current conditions."

The blaze was initially reported around 1:50 p.m. in a grassy area near the 4200 block of Arthur Road, Con Fire Spokesman Steve Hill told Patch.

The fire was quickly upgraded to two alarms as it raced up a hill toward a home and very sizable storage yard in the 100 block of Cambark Court, Hill said.

The home and storage yard — and at least a dozen cars and equipment — were completely lost but crews were able to save all the neighboring homes, Hill said.

"The fire burned within feet of some of the homes," he said.

At 3 p.m., Con Fire announced on Twitter that all neighboring structures were protected but the fire was still being attacked.

"If you feel unsafe, self evacuate," Con Fire said.

Around 4:45 p.m., fire investigators were still working to determine where exactly the fire started and what caused it, Hill said.

No injuries were reported in the blaze but three people were displaced.

The three juveniles suspected of causing the fire were released to their parents Wednesday evening, Con Fire said.

A wind advisory for the East Bay went into effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday and was expected to continue until 5 a.m. Thursday.