CONCORD, CALIF. – Investigation of Thursday morning’s fire at the Christ Community Church, 1650 Ashbury Drive in Concord has been completed less than 36 hours after the fire was extinguished. The investigative team has determined the area of origin of the fire and confirmed it was caused by human activity.
The fire originated in the crawlspace under the church in the vicinity of sleeping materials and other possessions belonging to someone temporarily sheltering under the structure without authorization. Investigators could not determine whether the fire was intentionally or accidentally set. All other possible ignition sources in the area of the fire were however eliminated.
Investigation included use of a search dog that confirmed there were no human remains in or under the fire structure. Moreover, no injuries occurred in fighting or investigating the fire. Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) thanks all members of the investigative team — including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Concord Police Department investigators; and the property’s insurance investigators — for their support and commitment to quick resolution of this case.
Con Fire’s FIU urges residents to help them fight the crime of arson across the county by calling the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON. They caution residents not to hesitate on information that seems too little or unimportant to matter, adding some of the most valuable tips come from residents who were not aware what they saw was very important to the investigation of an incident.
At 1-866-50-ARSON, residents can leave a recorded message about fire-related criminal activity in English or Spanish. Tips can be anonymous, but all tips are treated confidentially. Fire investigators sometimes need additional information, so inclusion of name and phone number is encouraged.
About Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) — A recognized fire service leader – – Con Fire provides fire and emergency medical services to more than a million people across its 304 square-mile District area, and through mutual aid, in and around the 20 cities and unincorporated communities of Contra Costa County, California. With few exceptions, county emergency ambulance transport services are provided by Con Fire through its unique sub-contractor Alliance model across the District and beyond to include some 520 square miles of the county. In 2018, the District responded to nearly 75,000 fire and EMS emergencies and dispatched some 95,000 ambulances, providing expert medical care on more than 74,000 ambulance transports. The District, with 26 fire stations and more than 400 employees, is dedicated to preserving life, property, and the environment
