Snuffed Out

by Anna McCarthy

Massive layoffs, internal conflict, and decreasing morale have all contributed to a less effective arson unit.

The Felton Street fire looked suspicious from the start. The two-story house in the Portola District that went up in flames in the early hours of Feb. 5, 2009, had no electricity. Plus, it was vacant. Vacant houses with no electricity typically don’t spontaneously combust. Continued