ATF’s National Response Team Determines The Cause Of Fire At Action Footwear To Be Accidental

The fire incident at Action Footwear store on Jan 25, 2021, that resulted 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 on Monday, Jan 25, 2021, at 5:40 pm, at Action Footwear, 655 H Street, Chula Vista, California.

Action Footwear fire incident

Investigators determined the fire started on the second floor of the business establishment. The building was occupied when the fire started and all occupants were evacuated from the building safely. While conducting fire suppression operations, four firefighters sustained injuries that were not life-threatening.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives activated its National Response Team

The Chula Vista Fire Department requested ATF to provide additional resources to assist in determining the cause and origin of the fire. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives activated its National Response Team, which started processing the scene of the fire incident on Thursday, Jan 28, 2021, with an additional 20 investigators.

National Response Team

The National Response Team 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 gathered at the scene, the results confirmed by the National Response team determined the cause of the fire to be accidental. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Response Team departed, after making its determination of the cause of the fire at Action Footwear.