A fire broke out late Saturday night, August 6th, in the controversial 3-story building under construction at Ebers and Greene.
And arson is suspected.
Fire investigators found evidence that the fire was intentionally started with some kind of accelerant.
When firefighters arrived at 11:10 pm, flames were reportedly spreading through the 3rd floor. Part of the building was charred, causing an estimated $1,000 in damage. San Diego Union-Tribune
The building damaged is controversial because it appears that the actual construction did not meet the submitted plans, and the project should have gone before the OB Planning Board for community input, but did not as per a decision within the City’s Planning Department. Neighbors also question its size, height, its bulk, its floor-area-ratio, and the intent of the owner.
In a nutshell, it appears that plans were submitted that showed simply an “add-on” to an existing single family residence, but once the existing garage was demolished, a whole new 3-story house was constructed (wood-frame only).
Neighbors, members of the community and folks on the Planning Board have been complaining about the project for months. As yet, there has been no official response.
Criticizing this project does not mean we condone this apparent action of arson.
OB does, we have to acknowledge, have a long history of guerrilla-style actions, particularly during the 1970s around construction jobs.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
“Insurance” would seem more likely of a motive than “guerrilla style actions”.
I wonder if they knew the fire station was literally less than two blocks away? This fire never had a chance – one small poof of smoke and that’s it. Fire trucks were there in seconds.
After your first article appeared – they attempted to show a hallway/connection to the by hanging a piece of plywood in between the two places, but I doubt that fooled anyone. Nobody has worked since.