Cause Of 4 Alarm Fire 'Undetermined'

OAKLAND, CA — The cause of a four-alarm fire last month at a construction site in Oakland's Uptown neighborhood is undetermined, officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said today.

The blaze broke out at about 4:30 a.m. July 7 at 2302 Valdez St. and caused the evacuation of at least 700 people from nearby buildings. The building was slated to have 196 market-rate apartments and 31,000 square feet of retail space. Completion was planned for spring.

Investigators, who began looking into the cause July 10, said evidence so far has not revealed a cause. Yet they will continue to consider new evidence or information from residents and witnesses.

"We are hopeful the (ATF) and fire officials can make a determination of the cause of the fire in the future," Wood Partners, the firm that owns the building, said in a statement issued this morning. "Wood Partners continues to work with the City of Oakland to rebuild the project."

Anyone with information is asked to get in touch with the ATF by calling (888) ATF-Fire, visiting www.reportit.com, or by sending information through the Reportit app available on Google Play or on the Apple App Store.

The names of anyone who provides information will be kept confidential.

— Bay City News; Image via Oakland Fire Live

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