An early morning fire at a San Juan Bautista law office is
believed to be an attempted arson to cover up a burglary.
A fire at a San Juan Bautista law office early this morning is believed to be arson, an attempt to erase evidence of a burglary, said the owner of the business.
Damage to the offices of the DeVries Law Group at 53 Muckelemi St. was minimal, thanks to an an in-office sprinkler system, said principle partner Dan DeVries as he surveyed the scene at midmorning.
Sheriff Curtis Hill said a more complete investigation will occur as soon as the office is dried out.
Hill said it is “too soon” to connect the San Juan fire to one Dec. 13 at Pacheco Hall, in which arson is believed to have been used to try to erase evidence of a burglary.
The San Juan Bautista Volunteer Fire Department was on the scene at 4:30 this morning, when DeVries was called to his office, and the crew quickly extinguished the last of the small fire.
None of the neighboring businesses or residences were damaged, and no injuries were reported in the fire.
A damage estimate is not available at this time.
