Fire Destroys East Bay Media Center in Berkeley

The East Bay Media Center in Berkeley was devastated by a significant fire early Monday morning, just two weeks after the passing of its co-founder Mel Vapour. The fire, reported around 3:15 a.m., led to the evacuation of nearby apartment buildings as firefighters encountered flames reaching 30 feet high. Fortunately, no one was in the building at the time, and no injuries were reported. The nonprofit, which has served as a vital hub for filmmakers and community education since the 1980s, was heavily damaged, losing its archives and equipment in the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The center was known for hosting the Berkeley Video & Film Festival and offering various training programs for young filmmakers.