Neighbors suspicious after latest Oakland construction project fire

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Evacuees and victims of the massive Valdez fire in Oakland don't know whether to be angry, grateful, or more likely both, that it could have tuned out worse for them.

After four East Bay residential construction blazes in which fire fighters either suspect arson or have proven it since 2012, residents see a connection, here.

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"I call it cultural warfare," said long-time Oakland resident Fred Page, who cruised past the scene on his bicycle Friday. "Only forty percent of Oakland voted in the last election and this is the kind of action they feel is necessary to turn something around."

VIDEO: A look at the massive fire in Uptown Oakland

Firefighters battled a 4-alarm fire that destroyed a building under construction in Uptown Oakland. Here's a look at some of the best imagery.

"Every building that goes up faces mountains of resistance from people who fear it will raise rents and drive people out," Nick Yale said. "It's like a 9/11 attack against development. Class warfare."

"This is not worth it, I'm getting out of here," Brian Richards told us as he walked away from the building he calls home. "It's too much. What I see is class disparity. Wealthy start-up brats, and a couple of blocks away, people living in (expletive) tents under the freeway."

VIDEO: Couple says they lost everything in Oakland fire

Adam and Nancy Khamphou said they were leaving for work when they watched their residence become engulfed in flames in Oakland.

"What do you do for a living?" I asked him. "Software developer. Yeah. I'm part of the problem."

PHOTOS: Massive structure fire in Uptown Oakland

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Firefighters battle massive structure fire in Oakland, California, Friday, July 7, 2017.

KGO-TV

As Brian said that, inside the The Grand, evacuees returned to their apartments, called to the lobby elevators floor-by floor. They formed silhouettes in front of the back window.

We saw more silhouettes Inside a local church-turned-evacuation center, where roughly 100 people showed up after the fire. By 12:30, twelve remained.

Some day in Oakland, isn't it? "Oakland is in transition from one kind of city to another," said long-time resident Marjory Medearis. "We're seeing a restructure of diversity. Oakland was a wonderful place, accepting of all. Now there is a change going on. It will not make Oakland be Oakland."

All that discussion and distrust, from a fire.