A predawn fire burned two apartment buildings on the 2300 block of Ninth Street early Tuesday morning. Ten families were displaced, according to fire officials. Credit: Tracey Taylor/Berkeleyside
An early-morning two-alarm fire torched two West Berkeley apartment buildings and forced 10 families out of their homes Tuesday.
A 911 caller first reported the fire, on the 2300 block of Ninth Street, shortly before 3 a.m., Deputy Fire Chief Keith May told Berkeleyside in an email.
When firefighters arrived, they found two two-story buildings burning, May said. Residents were evacuating both buildings already, he said.
Firefighters had the fire under control at 3:36 a.m., about 45 minutes after the first call, May said.
The American Red Cross responded to the fire in West Berkeley along with city police and firefighters and Pacific Gas & Electric. Credit: Tracey Taylor/Berkeleyside
“There was one resident assessed for possible medical complaint but was not transported,” May said. There were no other injuries reported, to residents or emergency workers.
The American Red Cross went to the scene to help with the 10 families who had been displaced, May said. Pacific Gas & Electric also responded to the scene. Firefighters from El Cerrito also responded after the second alarm was called, and the Oakland Fire Department provided coverage as well, May said.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation Tuesday morning.
Police sent an electronic alert shortly after 3 a.m. asking people to avoid the area of the fire.
Editors’ note: This article was updated after publication with additional information.
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Alex N. Gecan joined Berkeleyside in 2023 as a senior reporter covering public safety. He has covered criminal justice, courts and breaking and local news for The Middletown Press, Stamford Advocate and…
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