With firefighters away, thieves targeted stations

Fire fighters backed away from the flames as they approached Summit Road Monday September 9, 2013. The Morgan fire burned over the summit of Mount Diablo State Park as fire fighters and air tankers battled to keep it contained to the park. less Fire fighters backed away from the flames as they approached Summit Road Monday September 9, 2013. The Morgan fire burned over the summit of Mount Diablo State Park as fire fighters and air tankers battled to ... more Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close With firefighters away, thieves targeted stations 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

(09-10) 16:19 PDT WALNUT CREEK -- A crew of firefighters who rushed to this week's blaze on Mount Diablo returned to their Walnut Creek station and got a cold shock - the firehouse had been burglarized while they were away, authorities revealed Tuesday.

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District officials said someone broke into the station on Walnut Avenue on Sunday evening, hours after the Morgan Fire ignited near Clayton, and made off with the personal items of firefighters, including iPads, cash, watches and two wedding rings.

The same night, at the district's Rossmoor Parkway station in Walnut Creek, a burglar attempted to break in through a window, said Steve Aubert, a department spokesman. But a lone firefighter who stayed behind managed to scare off the intruder, who ran away.

No arrests have been made, and Walnut Creek police are investigating both incidents, said Lt. Steve Gorski.

"When you're out trying to help others, save their homes or lives, and someone's trying to take advantage of you, that's disappointing," Aubert said.