A fire that began on the street in East Oakland around 8:15 a.m. Monday grew to three alarms and spread to the American Emperor construction supply warehouse, sending up a huge plume of smoke over the city.
Firefighters took defensive positions outside the warehouse for fear of collapse, as Bay City News reports. And Oakland Fire Battalion Chief Melinda Drayton tells BCN that everyone was out of the building as far as she knew. No firefighters have been injured. CBS SF reports that 60 firefighters were battling the blaze, which was being fueled by the many boxes and construction materials inside the building.
The blaze was highly visible from both the 880 freeway and BART, and below is some video and photos shared on social media.
The warehouse is at 1900 East 12th Street, and it apparently began on the 1200 block of Solano Way.
E12th @ 19th Ave- #workingfire 3rd alarm requested. Crews going defensive. #oakland pic.twitter.com/QN6MUXQW8P
— Oakland Firefighters (@OaklandFireLive) April 1, 2019
Looks like a fire in Oakland. Hope everyone is safe. pic.twitter.com/CnNRjhKSNm
— Annie Pho (@catladylib) April 1, 2019
At least 20 rescued from massive warehouse fire in Oakland, Calif. - KGO
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 1, 2019
pic.twitter.com/LenkGu34NN
The American Emperor building is on fire in Oakland. I hope no one is injured! pic.twitter.com/agCB0Hr3rs
— Claudia Reyes (@claudiausagi_) April 1, 2019
And here's the scene as of 10:30 a.m., with the building mostly gutted and the fire nearly out.
RT sfchronicle: Oakland firefighters hose down the American Emperor warehouse on the 2000 block of Solano Way after a fire broke out Monday morning. 🎥: ashleynmcb pic.twitter.com/OaoNUbHjaw
— Hunter Thompson (@GonzoDeHunter) April 1, 2019
