Revisiting the Third Street Fire

Picture Alhambra: Portraits of the City of Alhambra and its people.

On November 18, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. the orange glow of a fire illumanted the Alhambra night sky. The blaze erupted at a three-story condominium complex under construction on the 101 block of Third Street and grew to a four-alarm fire, with 13 engine companies responding from neighboring cities and leaving some 7,000 Alhambra residents without power.

Four years later all signs point to arson, according to Alhambra Assistant Fire Chief Raymond Mosack. The case is still not resolved and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are still offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest. Today 101 N. Third Street remains an empty lot.

The photo: Alan Perera woke to the sounds of sirens and saw a light outside his window.

“I rushed into the alley, standing ahead of the crowd and took a few shots including this one.  I found out later that I came out too late to miss when the fire was huge and blazing.  But I suppose that's a good thing.  Knowing me, I would have stood too close and gotten myself injured or worse,” Perera said.

The photographer: Alan Perera teaches English to international students and studied Fine Arts at USC. Perera gives himself photography goals, even though he’s not a professional photographer. He prefers candid shots that tell a story.

Alan Perera was using a Nikon D40 when he took his photo.

Where were you when the fire broke out on Third Street? Do you have any images or stories to tell about that night?

Send your images to editor@alhambrasource.org.