two suspicious fires in recent weeks, what investigators just told us about a possible connection. that is our top story. good afternoon, everyone. firefighters are investigating another suspicious fire at a business in unincorporated cherry lynn neighborhood near hayward, the second fire this month. flames were first reported after 3 a.m. on meekland avenue, just about two weeks ago when a fire

damaged at least three businesses and that same exact strip mall. new at noon, alex savage is live after just talking with investigators. alex. >> reporter: the latest of those suspicious fires broke out overnight inside this market right here. we'll take you inside and show you some of the damage that took place inside this store. as you can see, it was heavily damaged, all the product inside is a total loss according to the owner of the store. firefighters say this was clearly arson. they could smell fuel in the air when they got here, and they say there were three separate fires set around the store in different locations. the owner of this market was emotional after seeing the damage to his business. >> completely gone. i lost everything. >> the market's owner says he has no idea who set this fire or who might be angry with him.

it broke out around 3 this morning at blossom way and meekland near hayward. the owner says the fire caused about a half million dollars in damage. surveillance cameras were on last night, working and investigators are now reviewing that video to figure out who started this fire. the fire chief we talked with this morning says it was clearly no accident. >> we could see there was three origins within the building itself. that would not have communicated to one another. they were too far apart. because of that we suspect -- we had a suspicion that this could be an intentional set. >> earlier this month on november 7th, there was another fire at this same strip mall. it burned through two other businesses just a few doors down, a barbershop and clothing store. fire investigators believe in that case it was also arson. there's been an investigation launched into both of the fires. at this point investigators say they're not focusing on the

property owner. we are told the owner this market does plan to reopen his business as well, at this point there's no description on the potential arsonist in the case. but if you know anything about the two fires at the same strip mall, in just the past couple weeks, put in a call to the alameda county sheriff's department. alex savage, ktvu channel 2 news. >> alex, thanks for that report. separate house fire in hayward sent one person to the hospital this morning. firefighters say a single alarm fire broke out at about 9:30 a.m. at a house on stonewall avenue near leonardo way. crews say flames were shooting out of the rear of the home and at one time smoke was visible from interstate 880. one person inside the house suffered smoke inhalation. nobody else was hurt. firefighters are looking into the cause. a fire at a santa rosa gas station burned a van and sent a man not hospital this morning at the 76 station at highway 12

around 4:20 a.m. firefighters found a man with burns walking along highway 12 not far away. static electricity could have caused the fire. johannes mehserle took the witness stand in federal court in san francisco this morning n a civil trial over an arrest. he took part in in 2008. ktvu photographer captured this exclusive video of mehserle as he arrived at the courthouse this morning. he is one of five former or current police officers being sued over an arrest six weeks before the fatal shooting of oscar grant. the man arrested is kenneth carruthers who claimed the officers punched and kicked him. >> our defense of the facts in the case. >> what are they? >> as the evidence went in yesterday, that exactly as the officers reported it, as to eyewitnesses reported. >> oscar grant's uncle attended. >> had bart took responsibility

of johannes mehserle' actions that night, my nephew oscar grant would probably still be living today. >> mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting of grant on new year's day, 2009. he was released from jail last summer. it's getaway day for thousands of bay area residents on this the eve of thanksgiving. and with rain in the forecast, it may be a little sluggish on the ground and in the air. kraig debro is live at oakland international with a look at what is happening right now. >> reporter: good afternoon, mike. at oakland international airport it's fairly clear, traffic going through up to terminal two is smooth. this is the time everybody looks forward to, seeing friends and relatives. but that is the fun part. here at the airport maybe not so fun bus this is one of busiest holiday weekends of the year. there is a way to avoid crowds at bay area air ports. san jose is the least busy airport among the 50 largest in

the country. >> i only go to san francisco for international flights, we're leaving in a couple weeks for germany. at that point we'll go to san francisco. >> award for the most convenient, it might go to oakland international airport. a spokesperson for the airport expects about 250,000 people during the 8-day thanksgiving holiday period. this year's number is up over last year, and that could also be a good sign for the economy. >> we are seeing that the passenger activity is definitely coming back here at oakland. when the recession began in 2008, we definitely had a reduction in service. but we are very hopeful for 2012. >> do you miss your flight, it gets cancelled, you're not going to have a lot of options. and you may not go until tomorrow. lot of people travel on thanksgiving itself, but people want to travel today may have a hard time doing it.

>> chicago and los angeles, sfo among the busiest airports, day at the airport has already come and gone, last friday. more than 1.1 million travelers will pass through sfo between last friday the 18th and of 27th. that's a 4.5% increase over last year. bad weather forecast for our area and other parts of country will likely mean delays. check with your airline's website to see if that is the case you don't get stuck in any delays but don't check too far in advance because typically airports don't report any of that stuff until an hour before a flight time. kraig debro, ktvu channel 2 news. a crash on highway 101 in san bruno this morning added to the headaches. a car traveling north flipped over the center divider into the southbound lanes, not far from the entrance ramp to san francisco international airport. that was just after 6 a.m. it took authorities about 90 minutes to clear that accident. triple-a's annual

thanksgiving forecast is 5.3 million californians will travel more than 50 miles from home this weekend. that is up 4.1% from last year. and more people are also expected to fly this thanksgiving weekend. triple-a predicts a jump of 1.9%, and the number of people traveling by train relationship expected to go up 14.9%. and amtrak's capitol corridor has its full fleet of trains out and running for the holiday. today and sunday expected to be the busiest days of the year. >> all aboard! >> the rail service which operates between san jose and auburn will extend a wednesday night train. that rail usually ends at jack london square in oakland but will stop in san jose tonight. we caught up with passengers who say they did not want to get stuck on the freeways so they decided to catch that train. >> i wouldn't drive especially today. i mean, it's just bumper-to- bumper, and hectic, and you know -- i want to arrive home in a calm spirit.

>> the cost of gas is definitely deterrent for some like 60 bucks a tank. you travel with your family, maybe it's easier but a lot of people are traveling alone today so the train is a really good option. >> amtrak wants to remind passengers it arrive early since there are stations seeing large crowds as well as lines. and no matter where are you traveling, you can always fine the latest travel and weather information on ktvu.com. in 8 minutes the latest on the rain heed to the bay area right now. the controversial pepper spraying incident at uc davis could soon lead to charges or changes for the entire uc system. uc president mark udoff says his office has taken a close look at the now infamous incident during an occupy protest last friday. he is launching a system-wide investigation into the way uc police respond to demonstrations at all 10uc campuses. former los angeles police chief william bratton will lead the investigation.

overnight, occupy oakland protestors packed up and vacated their newest camp with officers standing by some 200 protestors peacefully packed up their tents and left the camp at 18th and windon. most took off voluntarily after getting word the owner of the property wanted them out. but at least 50 occupy protestors returned, just a few hours later. and they now appear determine to stay there. police have not said what is the next move will be. the occupy san francisco camp may be moving to a new location. an estimated 400 protestors are still camped out in san francisco's justin herman plaza. our photographer took this video earlier today. nearby business owners say the tent city will impact their holiday business if the city doesn't take immediate action. and now the mayor is providing an occupy protestors move their camp to an old high school campus on mission street between 15th and 16th streets. many say they have no plans to move from the foot of market but late this morning the mayor told ktvu he hopes they will

change their minds. >> i think there is some -- i wouldn't say agreement, but some recognition that everybody is challenged by the conditions at justin herman plaza. and we've been emphasizing that and it's not sustainable. >> the mayor said he expects to have a report on discussions between city agencies and the occupy protestors later this afternoon. occupy protests across the country are taking a huge toll on american taxpayers. an associated press survey shows the occupy movement has caused taxpayers nationwide at least $13 million. those numbers come from 18 different cities, including san francisco and oakland. they reflect cost run through november 15th, the day protestors were kicked out of their camp in new york city. walnut creek police say a 23-year-old clayton man confessed to vandalizing banks across contra costa county. police say a surveillance photo of jarrod released yesterday helped them solve the case. during an immaterial view

yesterday, he admitted to being active in the occupy movement and writing the word "foreclosed" and on significance on at least four banks. police passed the case to the district attorney's office. and when we come back, more helicopter crash cut on camera. we'll tell you what happened to that pilot. and mark is says rain is headed in any time now. we'll tell you how much to expect in your neighborhood. there goes dwayne's car. oh, man. there goes dwayne's house. whoa! whoa! and there goes dwayne. man, that thing does not like dwayne. [ male announcer ] state farm's got you covered.

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in cairo, egypt protestors and police clashed for a fifth straight day. a human rights group says 38 people have died in the recent wave of violence. the u.n. today condemned egyptian authorities for excessive use of force. parliamentary elections begin monday but demonstrators are demanderring immediate presidential elections. the father of one of the three detained american college students said his son called and said he's treated well. police say the man threw firebombs at security forces while the students deny the charges. the president of yemen today relinquished power to the vice president signing a dealing in a ceremony this morning in saudi arabia. the agreement was brokered by the united states and its gulf

allies. it cuts for the presidential elections within 90 days. tens of thousands demanding democratic changes if the end to the regime. and take a look at this helicopter crash in new see it land. the chopper was trying to install a stage for a christmas tree when its blade got tangled in a cable. its tail broke off and crashed to the ground. you can see the pilot being pulled out of safety and carried away. amazingly he did escape without any serious injuries. a small group of homeowners is suing the city of san pablo in connection with a landslide last march. the landslide which was triggered by heavy rains damaged at least seven homes on hillcrest road and wyman street. the suit names the city of san pablo and the street property owners as co-defendants claiming the design and maintenance of the drainage system contributed to the

damage. city officials have not yet commented on that lawsuit. was police officers versus firefighters for a good cause this morning in san francisco. officers faced off against the firefighters to see who could do a better job of carting turkeys for the 4600 thanksgiving meals the salvation army will deliver tomorrow. the mayor was also there. the police and fire chiefs did lead the way. the meals are destined for people who are home bound. >> there will be meals home delivered to folks that -- are having a hard time getting out of the house. >> the competing carvers expected to cut close to 150 turkeys this morning. today san francisco's glide church will begin preparations for its annual thanksgiving dinner. volunteers will help chop, dice, mix and prepare thousands of meals. glide says it expects to feed 5,000 people tomorrow. holiday dinner starts at 9 a.m. and goes until 2 in the afternoon. the clouds have been moving

in over the past few hours. here's our live camera at san francisco, with a current temperature of 57 degrees. and mostly cloudy skies. no rainfall just yet. but that will be changing later today. right now on life storm-tracker 2 the rainshowers primarily up to the north of the bay area, around eureka, crescent city, over the past six hours reporting nearly an inch of rainfall so gives you an idea there's a potent system that will produce primarily heavy rain for parts of north bay but moderate downpours late tonight into early tomorrow morning. current numbers just updated. santa rosa 57 degrees. oakland at 58. and san jose reporting mostly cloudy skies and current temperature of 60 degrees. for today, mostly cloudy skies, rainfall will be picking up as we head into the evening hours. for thanksgiving, showers out there primarily for the morning hours, and temperatures on the cooler side. this weekend partly to mostly cloudy skies, but it should have a rain-free forecast for the weekend. once again the next system beginning to move onshore

primarily up in the extreme northwestern part of california. this front will be moving to the south so with that rainfall rates will be picking up later on this afternoon, primarily up in the north bay. it will take its time to move across the bay area for late tonight and early tomorrow morning. north bay locations pick up for the coastal hills nearly an inch of rain but the rest of the bay area about a quarter inch to half inch. that's for today lasting through tomorrow. here's our cloud and rainfall forecast model at 5:00. not a lot to show you. make a few sprinkles, we could have a few light showers approaching parts of the north bay. and then we'll take this into the evening hours. a chance elsewhere, it will be a slow mover but then by early tomorrow morning that rainfall really spreading south and for thanksgiving, we should have this, scattered showers first thing tomorrow morning, but look what happens even by 9:00, the showers begin to move out. still holding on to a possibility, but improving conditions for the afternoon. for today, mostly cloudy skies and breezy at 3:00.

north bahrain developing at 7:00, and rainfall spreading south late tonight into early tomorrow morning. temperatures in the upper 50s to lower 60s for afternoon highs. so not much of a change from the current readings. and here is a look ahead. your extended forecast of your weekend always in view, with thanksgiving in view rapidly approaching with showers primarily for the morning hours, then by friday just morning cloud cover, it will be dry this weekend with partly cloudy and mostly cloudy and temperatures in the mid-60s. for the mountains for the sierra, all roads right now are clear for 50 and 80, and it won't be a washout tomorrow. bulk of the activity should be for the morning hours. >> get out now if you can! >> that will be the plan. all clear right now. >> thank you. there are already lines forming at shoppers look to take advantage of black friday's best deals. >> 199. >> tv, maybe a laptop, tv for sure. >> these people are waiting outside a roseville best buy. doors expected to open tomorrow morning at midnight but not all

is going smoothly. they faced trouble when a private security guard told them they had to leave when the stores closed saying the property owners didn't want people camping out. >> it's ridiculous. we're going to occupy this line, and we held our ground and here we are. >> best buy officials got involved on behalf of the customers and now the property management group is allowing people to stay overnight. but the catch is that they are not allowed to set up tents or other camping equipment. the city of berkeley is trying to speed up the rebuilding profess for two downtown businesses destroyed by last week's fire. raley's where and grill and cafe were on the ground floor of the apartment complex that burned last friday. the city council is now considering waiving permit fees for the business. the fees can range from 800 to tens of thousands of dollars. the businesses would still have to get state required permits. it's black wednesday, and the california highway patrol says it is gearing up for one of the worst nights for excessive drinking.

mothers against drunk driving say ton is when people begin celebrating the holidays, when college students are returning home and parents become more relaxed about underaged drinking. highway patrol's crackdown begins ton at 6:00, and lasts until midnight on sunday. and when we get back, you will hear who was named the best guitarist of all time in a "rolling stone" magazine survey. plus why the day before thanksgiving turned out to be a lucky day for two special birds. ♪ [ female announcer ] we know you've got a lot on your plate at thanksgiving. which is why safeway has everything you need to get it all done. right now, get a safeway frozen turkey up to 12 lbs, for just $5 each. cook your thanksgiving turkey perfectly with our free chef assistant app. it's foolproof. safeway. ingredients for life.

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out market off to a rough week on monday and it continues on this wednesday. europe's debt rose and slower manufacturing in china shows in stocks. mortgage rates are holding steady in the neighborhood of record lows. freddie mac says the average 30- year fixed loan this week is at 3.98%, that's down from 4% last week, and only 4/100 of a point above the record low of 3.94%, seven weeks ago. today president obama used his executive powers to spare the life of two thanksgiving turkeys. >> you are here by pardoned! give a round of applause. >> the president pardoned this turkey named liberty along with its understudy named peace. they were prepared for their white house appearance by four teenage members of future farmers of america. in minnesota, the teenagers worked with the turkeys,

getting them used to being handled and exposing them to cameras, flashes and loud noises. >> they also received the most important part of their immediate training which involved learning how to gobble without really saying anything. >> the turkeys will live out the rest of their years at george washington's mount vernon estate and gardens in virginia. "rolling stone" magazine just announced who in its opinions is the world's greatest guitar player, going to jimi hendrix it says he exploded the idea of what rock music could be and no one could manipulate a guitar like him. thtop 10 was compiled by musicians, writers and editors. these round out the top five. coming up tonight at 5, the commercial crab season that has

not started yet. we're investigating where you can find your thanksgiving crab even though fishermen are not yet out to sea. plus the occupy movement is taking a big step. what it says it's going to do for the first time today. and for all of us here at ktvu, thank you for trusting us. we're always here for you ktvu.com and mobile ktvu.

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