Early risers in Oakland were met with billowing smoke and sirens as the Oakland Fire Department tackled a blaze in an apartment building at the corner of 60th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The fire was first reported in a tweet by the Oakland Fire Department, confirming their response to the working fire and the need for traffic control assistance from the Oakland Police Department.
Evidence of the fire department's resolve came swiftly as Update 1 from the same source confirmed the fire had been knocked down, though not without consequence—two ambulances were requested at the scene for two injured patients. The victory tempered as crews navigated the smoky interior, extinguishing embers that fought back like the last gasps of a vanquished enemy, and swiftly after that, the fire was declared under control.
Despite the rapid response, however, three construction workers were injured during the incident, calling for urgent medical attention as they were rushed to nearby hospitals with varying degrees of burns. The fire's origin, having caused such harm, now lies silent. Its reason for being is a question yet unanswered, as the cause remains under investigation, revealed by the fire department.
Battalion Chief James Bowron offered a clearer picture of the aftermath in a series of updates, including two videos, where he stated occupants from the remaining units in the building were facing the wrenching displacement. However, temporary as they wait for the restoration of power—an inconvenience most certainly, but a necessary measure for safety. These updates and the videos are available via the department's X account, found in the Oakland Fire Department X post.
Update 3: Three patients have been transported to local hospitals with varying levels of
— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) April 24, 2024
burns from the fire which occurred on the 1st floor of a 4 unit apartment near 60th and MLK. Cause is under investigation. https://t.co/4ABLoOOr8U pic.twitter.com/k6lvwjkB6t
