Jun 20, 2008 11:49 pm US/Pacific
6-Alarm Blaze Consumes 5 Buildings In East Oakland
OAKLAND (CBS 5 / AP / BCN) ―
Ninety firefighters struggled for several hours before gaining control of a six-alarm fire on Friday afternoon that burned five buildings along a stretch of International Blvd. in East Oakland.
The blaze caused one building to collapse and damaged two churches, a market, a liquor store, several apartments and a metal spring manufacturer.
The fire started about 1:50 p.m. in a mixed-use retail and residential building at 9347 International Blvd., between 93rd and 94th avenues, said Oakland Fire Lt. David Brue.
He said the fire spread quickly because numerous buildings shared common walls and common attic space.
The fire was contained around 5:30 p.m., Brue said, and there were no injuries. At the height of the blaze, witnesses reported seeing 30-foot high flames and dark plumes of smoke rising from the fire area.
He said eight people who lived in one of the affected buildings were displaced.
International Blvd. was closed between 92nd and 96th avenues much of the afternoon as crews fought the blaze. Motorists using State Route 184, which runs along the boulevard, were detoured to alternate routes.
Officials said Friday's high temperatures made firefighting conditions more difficult.
"It's hot today and that's making things more difficult for our crew," Brue said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation and no damage estimate was yet available.
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