Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

San Diego – The fire resulting in a $3.5 million loss at the Off Road Warehouse business in San Diego, California, was determined to be arson.

 

On Thursday, March 28, a fire was reported at 1:28 a.m. The fire destroyed the business and its 12,700-square-foot structure located at 7915 Balboa Ave., San Diego, California.

 

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) requested the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) provide additional resources to assist in determining the cause and origin of the fire. ATF activated its National Response Team which arrived at the site Saturday with an additional 25 personnel to join the investigation with the ATF Los Angeles Field Division, SDFD, and the San Diego Police Department.

 

The NRT is composed of special agents who include certified fire investigators, fire protection engineers, chemists, forensic mappers, accelerant detection canine teams and other highly specialized and experienced fire investigators. After examining all the evidence, it was determined the cause of the fire to be incendiary, meaning it was intentionally set, and is considered an act of arson.

 

This is now an ongoing criminal investigation. ATF is the recognized federal agency with the jurisdiction and ability to investigate fires and crimes of arson. Much of its expertise and state-of-the-art equipment is assigned to the NRT which deploys around the country and the world to help investigate large-scale and complex fire and explosives scenes at the request of local agencies.

 

The NRT is departing today after making its determination. ATF San Diego Special Agents will work jointly with the San Diego Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST) in bringing those responsible for this crime to justice.

 

For more information, follow ATF on Twitter @LosAngelesATF.