VIDEO: An early morning fire on Monday destroyed the East Bay Media Center near downtown Berkeley, leaving the future of the popular non-profit uncertain. Firefighters responded to the blaze around 3 a.m. and found the building completely engulfed in flames. Nearby apartment buildings were evacuated as a precaution, but crews managed to contain the fire within a few hours, preventing any injuries. “They had summer programs for teens, film festivals, media classes. Itโs been a staple in the Berkeley community,” said Lorrie Williams, owner of the Addison Street salon next door.
The East Bay Media Center was founded in 1980 and has been a significant part of the Berkeley community, offering various programs and events. The building itself has stood since the 1930s. Williams, whose salon suffered light damage from the fire, expressed her devastation over the loss of the media center. She noted that the center’s owner recently passed away, adding uncertainty to its future. Fire crews spent several hours fully extinguishing the fire, and as of Monday afternoon, the exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
