OAKLAND — A five-alarm fire likely started in a dumpster destroyed a two-story building in Chinatown on Wednesday morning.
Fire officials estimate as many as 14 businesses, including four restaurants and two stores, were lost in the blaze, which began at about 8:15 a.m.
Interim Oakland Fire Chief Melinda Drayton said it appeared the fire started in a parking lot dumpster behind the building, located at the corner of Webster and Eighth streets.
It spread inside the structure through a “really tight space” between two buildings on Webster Street, the chief said, making it more difficult for fire crews to control. A total of about 80 firefighters brought it under control by 10:15 a.m., and kept the flames from spreading to a nearby bank.
Firefighters remained on the scene for several more hours doing overhaul and making sure there were no flare-ups. The two-story building is on the 700 block of Webster Street and wraps around the corner to face Eighth Street.
The businesses lost were T&K Cafe, Gum Wah, Great Wall Co., Aloha Market, Rang Dong and Huangcheng Noodle, according to the fire department.
There were no reports of injuries and the official cause of the fire is under investigation.
Update from #OFD Fire Chief Melinda Drayton on today’s still active 5-Alarm fire in Chinatown. @kron4news @KCBSRadio @KPIXtv @Oaklandside @daviddebolt @EastBayTimes @nbcbayarea @TedrickG @KQEDnews @KTVU pic.twitter.com/MxsJPVIHL2
— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) September 16, 2020
Today Engine 9, Battalion 2, and Albany Fire are covering Oakland Fire Stations. OFD has been working a 5 alarm fire in Chinatown. #ALCOFIRE @OaklandFireCA pic.twitter.com/4elv0Seabm
— Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) September 16, 2020