20 Rescued From 3 Alarm Business Fire In Oakland

OAKLAND, CA — Firefighters are still working to extinguish a three-alarm fire at a business warehouse in Oakland after about 20 employees and customers were safely evacuated from the building Monday morning.

The fire likely began in a debris pile on Solano Way and spread into the American Emperor building at 1900 E. 12th St. around 8:30 a.m., according to Oakland fire Battalion Chief Melissa Drayton.

The company specializes in HVAC systems, plumbing, and electrical building supplies, and was open and operating when the fire began.

Due to large amounts of combustible materials inside the two-story building, the blaze jumped from a one-alarm to a three-alarm blaze in about 30 minutes, Drayton said.

The entire roof of the building has collapsed and there is extensive fire and water damage throughout the warehouse, which is believed to be a total loss.

No injuries have been reported.

Investigators are on scene interviewing witnesses to determine how the fire started. It created a large plume of black smoke near Interstate Highway 880 that was visible from far away, and people were asked to avoid the area due to poor air quality.

Firefighters are putting out hot spots and flare-ups and Drayton said as of 10:45 a.m. that the fire is close to being completely extinguished.

— Bay City News

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