UPDATE: 1 Person in Custody, 1 Firefighter Hospitalized After Apt. Fire

Updated Wednesday, Nov. 27, 9:30 a.m.

By Bay City News

One person of interest is in custody and one firefighter was hospitalized following a suspicious two-alarm fire at an Alameda apartment building on Briggs Avenue this morning, according to a fire captain.

David Prado, 45 — a tenant who was rescued from a balcony by firefighters — has been arrested by Alameda police on suspicion of arson, Alameda fire Captain Jim Colburn said.

Alameda police confirmed this afternoon that Prado had been placed on a psychiatric hold the morning of Sunday, Nov. 24. According to that day's police log, a Briggs Avenue resident was placed on a psychiatric hold at 6:28 a.m. after flooding his apartment and failing to take his medication.

A psychiatric hold (colloquially, a "5150") allows a person who appears to be a danger to himself or herself to be held in a psychiatric facility involuntarily for up to 72 hours for evaluation. The decision to release a person from the facility before a full 72 hours have elapsed is made by medical personnel, not police.

The blaze was reported at 2:47 a.m. in a four-unit two-story apartment building at 3272 Briggs Ave., off Fernside Boulevard near Lincoln Park, according to Colburn.

Firefighters used a ladder to rescue one man from a balcony while other residents jumped from their units to safety, Colburn said.

The second story and roof were heavily involved when firefighters arrived, he said.

Firefighters fought the blaze defensively and were able to bring the fire under control at 5:06 a.m., Colburn said.

The Oakland and Alameda County fire departments provided mutual aid at the scene and coverage at vacant Alameda fire stations, he said. A total of 40 firefighters responded to the scene of the fire.

One firefighter was transported to Alameda Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, Colburn said.

Damage to the building and its contents are estimated at $800,000. Seven occupants were displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Fire officials deemed the fire suspicious in nature. Alameda police and investigators from both the fire department and the Alameda Police Department are investigating the cause of the fire, according to Colburn.

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Alameda Patch contributed to this report.

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