The Brief
A three-alarm blaze broke out at a residential building located at 19th Street and Broadway in Oakland about 7 a.m.
Bay Area hip hop legend Mistah F.A.B. owns the Dope Era clothing store located on the first floor of the building.
The fire was brought under control by about 8:40 a.m.
Some patients – including one firefighter – were evaluated at the scene, with three people being taken to a hospital.
OAKLAND, Calif. – A three-alarm blaze broke out at a residential building in Downtown Oakland early on Monday morning.
The Oakland Fire Department told KTVU that the fire was first reported at the five-story, 43-unit building – located at 19th Street and Broadway – just before 7:10 a.m.
The OFD said at least 60 firefighters were at the scene to combat the blaze, and the building had been evacuated in the interest of safety. Among those shepherded to safety were 12 people who work at two Oakland restaurants owned by Paul Iglesias, including a family with 5-week-old twin girls.
Residents said it was challenging to escape the fire amid heavy smoke.
“I open my front door, and there’s just black smoke, heavy black smoke,” said Keisha Bigbie. “I’m grateful that I’m alive and well. I give the Lord thanks that I didn’t die.”
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said, “We are resassuring our residents that our Fire Department is ready. They are here. This is a day when I think they can be thanked.”
Councilmember Carroll Fife said, “My heart is breaking, because I know the people who lived here, lived here because it was affordable, so as we’re trying to figure out where they go next, I’m visualizing in my district and throughout the city of Oakland where are the affordable places they can live”
Bay Area hip hop legend Mistah F.A.B. owns the Dope Era clothing store located on the first floor of the building, and told KTVU his brother called him early in the morning to tell him about the fire.
“You could hear the fire alarms going off in the back, and you know, I just… my heart just dropped to the bottom,” Mistah F.A.B. said.
Despite the destruction, Mistah F.A.B. said he was thankful that no one was seriously injured in the blaze and that, ultimately, items can be replaced.
“My store is the least of my worries,” Mistah F.A.B. said. “I think the most important thing is to make sure that everyone’s evacuated safely, that there’s no deaths and whoever was affected, that they’re okay.”
The intersection at 19th Street and Broadway was closed to traffic as firefighters worked to clear the scene, though the OFD noted that the fire was brought under control by about 8:40 a.m.
At least one firefighter had to be evaluated at the scene for a minor injury. (Gregory Grinsell)
The OFD told KTVU that “less than five” patients – including one firefighter – were evaluated at the scene. Three of the patients were taken to a hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Ted Dang, the building’s owner and one-time Oakland mayoral candidate, declined to comment when contacted by KTVU. He said he did not know how the fire started.