Up to 900 residents displaced from massive Oakland fire, cause under investigation

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- It could be Sunday before 700-900 residents living near the fire scene on Valdez St. In Oakland are allowed to return home. They live in the so-called "collapse zone" where an unstable construction crane is in danger of falling.

I-TEAM: Oakland building fire appears to fit string of suspected arsons
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"Efforts to see how the crane can be safely brought down along with scaffolding are happening. We're working on a plan," said Oakland Deputy Fire Chief Erik Logan.

The four-alarm fire started before dawn and destroyed a 196-unit apartment building under construction. Federal investigators have joined the search for a cause. No one was injured.

RELATED: 4-alarm fire destroys building under construction in Oakland

The blaze at the Alta Waverly building happened several months after an arson fire destroyed a similar development on the Oakland-Emeryville border.



Nearby residents consider the fire to be highly suspicious.

"I think it's somebody who's against Oakland housing, they burned down the place where people are going to be living," said neighbor Todd Williams.
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About a dozen businesses have been impacted by the fire.

VIDEO: A look at Oakland's Uptown building fire


PHOTOS: Massive structure fire in Uptown Oakland