Teens playing with fireworks caused the fire that shut down Highway 580 just north of Livermore for several hours, and an arrest has been made in the case.
At the Altamont Pass, the Grant Fire raged out of control for several hours, burning quickly through the dry brush out here.
The fire happened on Jul. 8. In a video, you can see the large plumes of smoke racing toward cars. Nearly 480 acres were scorched.
Now, there is a break in the case about how it all started.
Alameda County Sheriff’s spokesperson Ray Kelly says it was on the east side of 580 just past the Flint exit where the two teens started the fire.
“The teens were horsing around,” Sgt. Kelly said. “They put a firework into the engine of their car. It went off. Then, they started to try and put out the fire and couldn’t and it took off on them.”
Sgt. Kelly says the teens recently turned themselves in, confessing to the fire.
“They did the right thing by admitting to accidentally starting the fire,” Sgt. Kelly said.
As for charges, the case has been turned over to the district attorney.