Neighbors reported the blaze after hearing explosions at 1:50 a.m. Thursday on Woodmont Way in the Grizzly Peak Estates neighborhood, authorities said. The car was destroyed.

The silver 2002 Volkswagen Golf belonged to James Meehan, 32, and his wife, Nina, who were at home with their young son when the fire happened.

Meehan said he received an e-mail Thursday night from Yudof's wife, Judy, that said a preliminary investigation showed the fire resulted from "faulty electrical wiring" and not arson.

But Meehan said, "I find it hard to believe it was faulty wiring." He said there were no problems with the Volkswagen, which was towed away and is being scoured for evidence. "I'm of the opinion that it was arson."

Meehan said he and his wife weren't the intended victims and that he believed Mark Yudof was targeted by someone upset about budget cuts to the UC system.

Jeff Thomason, Oakland police spokesman, said there has been no determination as to whether the fire was arson.

In July, the UC Board of Regents cut $813 million from UC budgets in response to cuts by the state. Yudof defended the cuts as the only way to address a steady decline in state support for the university.

Yudof has been the target of protests by UC employees who have heckled him as he arrived to give speeches at sites off-campus. Others have posted flyers on the door of his home and protested loudly outside, "some louder than others," Meehan said.

The Yudofs have declined to comment on the incident other than to thank investigators, who include Oakland and UC Berkeley police and agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI.

E-mail Henry K. Lee at hlee@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page C - 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle