New and recent details on fifth and 1 fire last night

I found out this morning from friends about the fire on fifth and i. I used to work in that office building and while we often had homeless people stay there and random acts of trashing the property, the incidents of vandalism have increased and started at a very specific time.

Chief Andy Mills told me that the fire department is handling the investigation.

 This fire supposedly started near an area near the men's bathroom on the ground floor said Jim. It was not due to anything electrical.

The first thing I did was call Jim Madsen, the landlord. Jim told me that he got a call a little after 11 p.m. last night. There is an area under the staircase leading to the second floor which is the back entrance for Downtown Express area, they have a storage space and sometimes there are recyclables there.

Jim said they found no recyclables just some small poly blue containers. The fire department thinks that may be where the fuel for the fire started, but the investigation is still ongoing. What the fire department told Jim was that there was no obvious reason for the cause.

Kathleen Bryson's office is directly above the cafe and the staircase is one that leads to 2nd floor office which also has law offices for Karjola and Bicknell and Ross Last night Kathleen was contacted by Aladdin because  there were windows broken in her office.

Jim said her office has smoke damage and the carpets need to be cleaned. I saw the ceiling and smoke damage outside which is visible if you view the building near the staircase. There is soot and you can still smell the smoke. Jim is working to get Bryson's office cleaned and ready for business. Kathleen told me that she was at her office all day today and the office will be ready for business.

One of the reasons I called Jim is that these incidents have occurred and increased directly since MC2 got an office. The windows to MC2 have been broken several times but the recent incidents have been to the cafe and Bryson's office. MC2 has a volunteer often dressed in a security jacket who tends to antagonize the homeless. And at times other passerbys. I have talked to Jim, others have talked to him about Jeremy. Tenants have been patient because it appears that volunteer Jeremy has some issues, perhaps mental health. 

Yesterday Jim had called Chip Perry who owns MC2 to reiterate that tenants and others want him to talk to Jeremy who hangs out there 24/7. Jim has handled this issue previously and properly and privately with sympathy. The police are familiar with Jeremy. Chip had a talk with Jeremy yesterday. Now instead of camping outside that building Jeremy allegedly told Chip he is going to possibly stay at St. Bernards. 

Several people including myself have told Jeremy that he needs to not hassle people and be so aggressive with homeless folks who are not doing anything wrong. 

Last night the fire department told Jim it appears to be arson.

The investigation is ongoing and no suspect has been identified and no one, including myself is accusing Jeremy but it is a possibility that  needs to be looked into because it is the most obvious connection. People are speculating on Lost Coast Outpost that it could be a disgruntled client. These incidents did not start until Jeremy and MC2 were there and people were being targeted by Jeremy. It could also be another random act of vandalism. Granted Jeremy was trying to watch out for the property. Now besides the cost of fixing the damage and the cost of when at least 2 businesses can be open, we have the cost of police and fire responding to the incident.

The cafe is also for sale. This certainly could impact that process.

Again on Lost Coast Outpost, there are comments blaming the homeless which is wrong. We do not know who did it. It could just as easily be someone drunk or high wandering the streets. This was not done by someone just looking to sleep somewhere or rest, it was done by someone angry who felt justified and entitled to damage and endanger others.

The only reason lives were not lost was because there are businesses open nearby and no one was working late.

These photos were taken before the firefighters came and put caution tape all around the staircase.