Palo Alto Parking Garage Closed After Suspected Arson

PALO ALTO, CA — A parking garage in downtown Palo Alto was closed Tuesday after a suspected arsonist set a vehicle on fire on the basement level, according to the Palo Alto Police Department.

No injuries were reported from the incident, which was reported just before midnight on Monday at the Cowper/Webster Garage at 520 Webster Street. Officers found an unoccupied vehicle, a black 2007 Toyota Avalon, engulfed in flames.

Police said the car’s owner had parked at the garage Monday morning, and they deemed the fire of “suspicious origin.”

Another fire Monday night was reported at Lot “S” on Bryant Street around 11 p.m., when a trash can was set on fire.

Police are investigating whether the two incidents were related.

There was no suspect information available.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Palo Alto Police Department’s 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voice mail to (650) 383-8984.