OAKLAND, CA - December 15: Firefighters work to contain a two-alarm blaze that damaged two Victorian houses on the 1600 block of 8th Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Nine people were displaced by the fire. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - December 15: Firefighters work to contain a two-alarm blaze that damaged two Victorian houses on the 1600 block of 8th Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Nine people were displaced by the fire. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - December 15: Firefighters work to contain a two-alarm blaze that damaged two Victorian houses on the 1600 block of 8th Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Nine people were displaced by the fire. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - December 15: Firefighters work to contain a two-alarm blaze that damaged two Victorian houses on the 1600 block of 8th Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Nine people were displaced by the fire. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - December 15: Firefighters work to contain a two-alarm blaze that damaged two Victorian houses on the 1600 block of 8th Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Nine people were displaced by the fire. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - December 15: Firefighters work to contain a two-alarm blaze that damaged two Victorian houses on the 1600 block of 8th Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Nine people were displaced by the fire. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - December 15: Firefighters work to contain a two-alarm blaze that damaged two Victorian houses on the 1600 block of 8th Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Nine people were displaced by the fire. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - December 15: Firefighters work to contain a two-alarm blaze that damaged two Victorian houses on the 1600 block of 8th Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Nine people were displaced by the fire. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - December 15: Firefighters work to contain a two-alarm blaze that damaged two Victorian houses on the 1600 block of 8th Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Nine people were displaced by the fire. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - December 15: Firefighters work to contain a two-alarm blaze that damaged two Victorian houses on the 1600 block of 8th Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Nine people were displaced by the fire. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - December 15: Firefighters work to contain a two-alarm blaze that damaged two Victorian houses on the 1600 block of 8th Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Nine people were displaced by the fire. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND — Firefighters and other first responders brought a two-alarm fire that displaced nine residents of a West Oakland neighborhood under control, authorities said Wednesday.
At 2:20 p.m., Oakland Fire Department firefighters responded to reports of flames at two structures in the 1600 block of Eighth Street between Chester and Campbell streets in the city’s Prescott neighborhood, fire spokesman Michael Hunt said.
More than four dozen firefighters arrived to find a column of smoke towering over a Victorian house and a building next door, and called a second alarm at 2:27 p.m.
The fire, which preliminary evidence suggested began on the first floor in the next-door building, was brought under control by 2:54 p.m., Hunt said.
Oakland Fire Department investigator was on scene and Pacific Gas & Electric crews arrived to cut power to the houses. Oakland police officers responded to provide traffic control nearby, and paramedics also responded but there were no reported injuries.
After a thorough preliminary investigation, a fire investigator declared the fire’s cause as accidental after learning that a worker in an unoccupied house’s rear had used a grinder to cut into pipe. When sparks from the grinder caught gas inside the pipe on fire, the worker was unable to extinguish it before it rapidly spread through the home.
Six adults and three children were displaced, and Red Cross Bay Area staff were notified to provide assistance, Hunt said.
Approximately 50 #OFD firefighters are on scene of 2 Alarm Fire at 8th and Campbell. Two structures currently impacted. Please avoid the 8th street area between Campbell and Chester. pic.twitter.com/UYH7Dh87sP
The 2 Alarm Fire at 8th and Campbell is now UNDER CONTROL, as of 254pm. As of now there are 9 individuals displaced (6 adults and 3 children) and Red Cross has been notified. No injuries have been reported. pic.twitter.com/G1YoHkaVzw
