SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (KGO) — One person is dead, two people are still assumed missing and more than 50 people can’t go home because of a massive fire that ripped through a San Rafael apartment complex on Thursday. Investigators are now calling the fire “suspicious.”
San Rafael police confirmed that investigators found the remains of one deceased person on the back side of the building on Friday. However, they have not identified the victim and could not confirm right now if the remains found are of one of the two missing people.
VIDEO: Officials say remains discovered from San Rafael apartment fire
Officials said they have now discovered the remains of a deceased person at the site of a massive apartment building fire in San Rafael.
The two people missing are said to be adults, not juveniles, but no names have been released at this time.
“Immediate rescue operations were necessary as people were trapped and jumping from windows and balconies to escape,” is how Deputy Fire Chief Robert Sinnott, with the San Rafael Fire Department described Thursday morning’s fire.
Police and fire officials still do not know what started the fire, but they are now calling this fire “suspicious.”
VIDEO: Officials say San Rafael apartment building fire deemed ‘suspicious’
In an update Friday, officials said they are investigating the fire as suspicious based on the nature of the fire, how fast it burned and how many people were displaced. Two people remain missing.
“Based on the nature of the way that it burned, and how fast it burned, it is suspicious in nature,” said Sergeant Justin Graham, with the San Rafael Police Department.
The fire broke out early Thursday morning in the city’s Canal District. By 5:30 a.m. the 19-unit apartment building was engulfed in flames.
Building manager Martin Hanson woke to the sound of people running down the stairs.
“I thought it was a fight going on. I looked out and saw flames. Threw on my shirt and shorts, grabbed cash, and headed out. I was on the water side, so a lot of people had to jump into the water,” he said.
The San Rafael Fire Department says eight people were injured trying to escape the fire. One firefighter was also treated for minor injuries.
“It was a terrible tragedy. People lost everything. Everything that they had, that they owned. People lost cell phones, car keys, IDs, cash,” said Omar Carrera, CEO of Canal Alliance, which assists the local Latino immigrant community, especially in times of crisis.
He said more than 55 people, including some infants and high school students, are staying at a nearby shelter.
“Right now, our priority is to help families transition from the shelter to hotels. And then, our case managers will start working right after that to find permanent housing,” said Carrera, adding it is difficult to find housing in San Rafael.
PREVIOUS STORY: 8 injured, 2 missing, 55 displaced after massive fire destroys San Rafael apartment building
On Friday afternoon, fire crews continued to spray down the building complex, which is still unstable and unsafe for investigators to go in.
“As you can see behind us, the building is in a relatively unstable shape. So, we have to make sure, before we put people all the way into the building, that it is safe. So, they are doing a lot of assessment right to make we do this correctly, and so that no one else gets hurt,” said Sgt. Graham.
Police say they will likely be out on the scene until Monday.
They are also asking anyone with cell phone from Thursday between 5:30 a.m. to 5:45 a.m., to share it with law enforcement. They are trying to determine how the fire spread so quickly.
Officials are asking the public with any information to call 1-888-283-3473. Surveillance video can be reported here.
Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.
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