Crime & Safety

Conclusion of Piedmont Lumber Fire Investigation Shows No Evidence of Arson

Investigators, however, were unable to pinpoint the cause.

Investigators have found no evidence that the four-alarm fire that tore through the Piedmont Lumber yard and retail center last March was caused by "any suspicious or criminal acts," Contra Costa County Fire Protection District officials said Thursday.

Following the fire on March 13 that destroyed the North Main Street business, fire district Investigator Vic Massenkoff conducted an investigation that involved a thorough processing of the fire scene and an analysis of the business and financial activities of the lumber yard owners, the Piedmont Lumber and Mill Company, Inc.

At the time of the blaze, the company faced severe financial difficulties. The owners were facing a lawsuit by a bank that alleged they were in default on nearly $15 million in loans obtained since 2007.  A bank lien had been filed against the company 11 days before the fire. 

Find out what's happening in Walnut Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The lien was related to the company's Pittsburg facility, which was damaged in an arson fire in August 2009.  

Fire officials say that the Pittsburg arson fire, which started along the exterior of a shed, was not related to the fire at the Walnut Creek facility. Most of the damage in the Pittsburg fire affected an adjacent commercial property.

Find out what's happening in Walnut Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Walnut Creek police and the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives helped Contra Costa fire officials investigate the blaze. Massenkoff concluded that the fire was not suspicious and identified where in the lumber yard the fire started, but investigators could not pinpoint a cause. 

The Walnut Creek fire was first reported at 1:43 p.m. March 13. Firefighters arrived within minutes to find much of the facility in flames, with adjacent buildings and businesses threatened. 

The fire caused more than $6 million in damages. The remaining property is listed for sale. Last summer, company officials they were thinking of rebuilding the home center at the North Main Street property. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.