Action Footwear Fire that Injured Four Chula Vista Firefighters Determined to be Accidental
Chula Vista, California – The fire resulting in injuries to four Chula Vista Fire Department firefighters has been determined to be accidental.
The National Response Team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with the Chula Vista Fire Department, completed the investigation into the origin and cause of the fire that occurred Monday, Jan. 25, 5:40 p.m., at Action Footwear, 655 H St., Chula Vista, California.
Investigators determined the fire started on the second floor of the business. The building was occupied when the fire started, and all occupants evacuated the building safely. While conducting fire suppression operations, four fire fighters sustained injuries that were not life-threatening.
The Chula Vista Fire Department requested ATF provide additional resources to assist in determining the cause and origin of the fire. ATF activated its National Response Team which started processing the scene Thursday, Jan. 28, with an additional 20 investigators.
The NRT is composed of special agents who include certified fire investigators, fire protection engineers, chemists, forensic mappers, accelerant detection canine teams and other highly specialized and experienced fire investigators. After examining all the evidence, the results determined the cause of the fire to be accidental. The NRT departed yesterday after making its determination.
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