ATF investigators searching for cause of Oakland apartment fire

Amy Hollyfield Image
ByAmy Hollyfield KGO logo
Monday, July 10, 2017
ATF searching for cause of Oakland apartment fire
Federal investigators are in Oakland to examine the ruins of an apartment complex that burned to the ground before it was finished.

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Federal investigators are in Oakland to examine the ruins of an apartment complex that burned to the ground before it was finished.

At the same time, some neighbors who had been evacuated are back home, as others faced new danger.

The ATF brought in a mobile unit, and say it's still not safe to go into the building yet.

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A maze of barricades was set up around Oakland's auto row. Some people were being let out while others felt penned in.

"It is puzzling I don't know what I can and cannot do," one resident said.

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

The silver metal fences are cordoning off her block of 23rd Street because glass was falling from the office building across the street. The windows got too hot from Friday morning's huge fire, and began cooling off and shattering. Some residents were allowed to come and go, but it was considered too dangerous to open the street.

"I keep hearing glass falling. I don't think they have resolved that issue. It's a little bit frightening the noise is worse than anything,"

ATF agents say their workspace is also unsafe, and they too are keeping a safe distance. They need engineers to determine the structural integrity of what is left of the burned building.

They are looking for the fire's cause, but hadn't yet entered the scene.

Also blocked out from work were employees of a building on Grand Avenue where the glass was falling. Sandy Yip got there at 7:30 a.m. anxious to get inside.

"I woke up pretty early today just to get my laptop," Yip said

Employees were allowed in at 8 a.m. but only long enough to grab what they need. The building is still closed.

"At least we can get in and get it Friday I couldn't get it it's kind of a drag, what are you gonna do," Robert Gannon, who works in the building, said.