Update: Police Arrest Transient Camper on Sugarloaf Mountain

and fire units responded to a on Thursday morning where they arrested 30-year-old transient Okaye Gordon, who, according to police, had set up several makeshift firepits, including one inside his tent.

At approximately 10:00 a.m., Belmont police were contacted by a hiker, who frequents the Sugarloaf Open space, on the western boarder of Belmont and San Mateo. The hiker had come across a campsite and was especially concerned because that the occupant(s) had an open fire pit.

Belmont Police officers hiked onto the mountain from the in Belmont and found a make-shift encampment at the top. 

The encampment had several fire pits, including one inside a tent. During a check of the area they found Gordon, who police say had been living at the camp for several months.  At least one of the and because of this, Belmont and San Mateo fire units were called to the scene, including an engine from the San Mateo Fire Department, which is specifically designed to handle fires in wilderness areas.

“The fire pit inside the tent contained burning embers and was pretty deep,” said . 

“We were very fortunate that the wind didn’t spread embers from one of the fire pits. With all of the dry brush and grass it could have been a tragedy,” Chief Fry added. 

Firefighters remained on scene for approximately two hours to ensure that all of the embers from the various fire pits were extinguished.

Belmont police arrested Gordon on an outstanding arrest warrant for assault.  After his arrest, Gordon was found to be suffering from smoke inhalation and dehydration and was taken to an area hospital where he was cited on the warrant.

There were no injuries or damage to property reported.

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