Crews control large fire burning in Hayward

HAYWARD, Calif. (KGO) -- Fire crews say they now have control over a large fire burning in Hayward. It started south of the airport and the plume of smoke could be seen for miles.

A man who was hiking at Hayward Regional Shoreline called in at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday to report that he saw flames at a grassy area along West Winton Avenue very close to the San Francisco Bay.

An East Bay Regional Park's Eagle helicopter and fire engines responded aggressively to attack the fire. Initially crews said they were able to contain it to just 4.5 acres within an hour. Officials later said the fire spread to 26 acres.

The scorched acreage is actually on Alameda Flood Control land.

"The Alameda County Flood Control property is patrolled by the city of Hayward and Alameda County and it is separated from the park district property by fences," said Lt. Alan Love with the East Bay Regional Park District.

He adds that it is an unusual place to have a fire.

Officials say there were no reports of fireworks in the area. Fire officials report that the man who called in the blaze and says he tried to put it out was questioned and later released.

The cause is still under investigation.