Latest news with #OaklandFireDepartment
CBS News
06-07-2025
- CBS News
Oakland firefighters overwhelmed by holiday blazes, 64 fires reported
Oakland firefighters pushed to limits on Fourth of July by responding to dozens of fires Oakland firefighters pushed to limits on Fourth of July by responding to dozens of fires Oakland firefighters pushed to limits on Fourth of July by responding to dozens of fires Illegal fireworks caused major disruption in Oakland on the Fourth of July, straining emergency responders and endangering residents. The Oakland Fire Department, which typically responds to around 15 fires a day, was called to 64 separate blazes on Friday — more than four times the usual volume. One of those fires severely damaged a two-bedroom apartment at the corner of Holly Street and 78th Avenue, killing two dogs and a cat. "One of the 'bottle rockets,' I believe, flew under [our garage] and somehow lit everything on fire," said Cristian Floriano, whose family lost their home in the fire. Spent fireworks were found strewn in the street near the apartment. Cristian's parents were able to escape the rapidly spreading flames, but by the time he and his sister, Kimberly, returned home, the apartment was engulfed in fire. Their pets had already perished. "Just rage, that's really it," Cristian said, describing his emotions. "It feels like my heart keeps breaking every second, the more and more I realize what's actually happening," added Kimberly. In a separate incident nearby, a seven-year-old girl, Seantera Fields, was hit by a firework while standing near her home. Fortunately, her injuries were not severe. "Scared," she said simply. Asked if she was doing okay, Seantera nodded and replied, "Yes." Her father, Sean Fields, said the experience was frightening. "Luckily, she didn't get hit in the face. She just got hit in the leg. And it just shocked her." Fire investigators are still working to determine how many of the 64 fires were directly caused by illegal fireworks. Around 5 p.m. on Friday, more than 75 firefighters were deployed to battle a massive four-alarm warehouse fire at the corner of East 8th Street and 53rd Avenue. Both police and fire officials are now investigating whether the site was being used as an illegal marijuana grow operation. Although hot spots flared up again on Saturday, firefighters were able to contain them quickly. Oakland Fire Department Battalion Chief Porya Jeddi emphasized how critical staffing and station availability are during high-demand emergencies. "This is why it's so important to have our firehouses open, to have the full staffing on the rigs. We need the members. We need the firehouses. We're trying to do a good job," said Jeddi. Elsewhere in the East Bay, in the hills outside Rodeo on Franklin Canyon Road, young people were seen spinning donuts and lighting fireworks near Highway 4. One of the fireworks appeared to spark a brush fire close to the freeway. Despite the fire danger, the drivers lingered at the scene until police eventually dispersed them. Back in Oakland, the Floriano family now faces a difficult road ahead. Without renters' insurance, they lost all of their possessions in the fire — but the loss of their pets is what they grieve most. "My mind was just trying to save my pets, but couldn't," Cristian said quietly. "It was a white cat. I've had her for almost five years and her birthday was coming up next week. And it's just sad because she's dead now," Kimberly added. Their landlord has temporarily moved the Floriano family to a vacant unit. According to the Oakland Fire Department, there were some minor injuries across all incidents that day, but no major injuries have been reported. Fire officials credited the one-day closure of Grizzly Peak Boulevard on July 4th for helping to prevent additional fires in the Oakland and Berkeley Hills. The cause of many fires remains under investigation, and officials continue to urge residents to report illegal fireworks and firework-related activity.
San Francisco Chronicle
05-07-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Oakland sees fivefold increase in fires over July Fourth, driven by illegal fireworks
Oakland saw a fivefold escalation of fires over the July Fourth holiday due to illegal fireworks, which kept firefighters racing across the city — but saw no human fatalities, a fire department spokesperson said Saturday. Two dogs died and one person was taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation when illegal fireworks sparked a dramatic house fire around 10:30 p.m. Friday, the Oakland Fire Department reported. More than 30 firefighters attacked that blaze, as flames leapt from a two-story residential duplex in the 1600 block of 78th Avenue. The first responders had the blaze under control by 11:14 p.m., the fire department posted on social media sites. That fire was one of 64 across the city on Independence Day — far more than the 12 to 15 that burn in Oakland over a typical 24-hour period, said fire department spokesperson Michael Hunt, adding that the increase was 'definitely' because of illegal fireworks. 'Anything over 20 is a very busy day. Over 30 would be exceptional,' Hunt said. Over 60 fires was 'extremely taxing.' Not all of the Oakland fires were connected to fireworks, including the largest blaze of the day: a four-alarm inferno that broke out around 5 p.m. at a warehouse on the 5200 block of East Eighth Street, about a mile north of the Oakland Coliseum. No injuries were reported. As soon as crews were released from that fire, they 'immediately began driving to a vegetation fire at the top of 98th Avenue that spread to about half an acre,' Hunt said. 'It just showed the relentlessness of the day.' On social media, the fire department thanked the often unrecognized groups that contributed to the unusual day, saying, 'Strong work by all our dispatchers, fire operations & emergency management personnel.' The growth in fire activity on the holiday capped what has been a tragic July Fourth season in the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Dozens of communities canceled their fireworks displays after a Yolo County fireworks warehouse blew up three days before the holiday. Some Bay Area communities canceled their sanctioned shows due to fire risk, while Lake Tahoe halted a show after a fireworks barge sank Thursday. It's unclear whether such cancellations lead more people to set off do-it-yourself fireworks celebrations, which are largely against the law in California. Fireworks without an 'Office of the State Fire Marshal Safe and Sane' seal on the package are illegal. Also, individual communities often ban the use or possession of fireworks altogether, with fines of up to $50,000 and a year in jail, according to the state's website. Still, many Californians visit Nevada to purchase fireworks and bring them back into the state in defiance of the prohibitions. California reports that even before the July Fourth season began, officials seized more than 600,000 pounds of illegal fireworks this year. In Oakland, all of the city's fire stations were fully staffed and operational, Hunt said, noting that the region took other steps to keep people safe. The city deployed roving fire engines patrolling the Oakland hills, which have a lot of dry vegetation, to immediately report any fire activity. And for the fourth year, Berkeley and the East Bay Regional Parks District closed off Grizzly Peak between Centennial Drive and Skyline Boulevard for 24 hours to reduce the possibility of illegal fireworks in that area.
CBS News
05-07-2025
- CBS News
Oakland resident injured, 2 dogs dead in fire caused by illegal fireworks
An Oakland resident was injured, and two dogs died in a structure fire caused by illegal fireworks on Friday, the Oakland Fire Department said. The Fire Department, around 10:40 p.m., said it responded to a fire at a 2-story duplex on the 1600 block of 78th Avenue. Update: This incident has been placed Under Control as of 11:14pm. Red Cross was requested for support services. Approximately 30 firefighters remain on scene. Two dogs died and one person transported by Falck. Cause of fire = illegal fireworks. — Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) July 5, 2025 About 30 firefighters responded to the scene, and the fire was under control by 11:15 p.m. One person was injured, and two dogs died, the fire department said. According to Oakland Fire, the cause was illegal fireworks.
CBS News
15-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Dozens of Oakland firefighters respond to fire on International Boulevard
Dozens of Oakland firefighters responded to an early morning fire on International Boulevard on Sunday. Around 12:41 a.m., Oakland Fire said crews were at a fire on the 3700 block of International Boulevard. There were 45 firefighters at the 2-alarm fire, and just after 1 a.m., crews had the fire under control. Update 1) 40 minutes into incident. The Incident Commander reports that conditions are improving. Approximately 45 firefighters in scene right now. No reports of injuries at this time. — Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) June 15, 2025 Police were in the area doing traffic control as firefighters finished cleaning up hot spots inside the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
CBS News
04-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Fire burns large home in Oakland Hills, destroys portion of building
A fire in the Oakland Hills Tuesday afternoon left a home with significant damage, the Fire Department said. In a social media post, the department said the two-alarm fire burned a home on Skyline Boulevard just north of Hansom Drive and about a half mile south of Fire Station 21. The fire started in the garage of the home, listed on Redfin as a 3,022 square-foot estate, and spread to the main house, but firefighters were able to contain it to just the one house, the post said. Update 1) Fire crews have contained this 2 alarm incident in the 13000 block of Skyline to the structure of origin but this is still an active fire incident. Traffic should avoid Skyline Blvd b/w Parkridge Dr and Keller Rd. No reports of injuries at this time. — Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) June 3, 2025 Video shot from above the home showed the fire gutted the garage area. Firefighters were atop the main house, cutting holes in the roof to let out smoke and heat. Some three dozen firefighters responded to the fire. There were no reported injuries, and the cause of the fire was not immediately known. Traffic along Skyline Boulevard between Parkridge Drive and Keller Road was affected during the firefight and mop-up efforts.
