OAKLAND — A popular Rockridge district bookstore was left a “total loss” after a three-alarm fire early Tuesday, officials said.
The fire also left five people living in an adjacent residence displaced, officials said.
The fire at East Bay Booksellers, 5433 College Ave., erupted about 5:25 a.m. inside the two-story business, officials said.
The fire went to a third alarm within a short time, primarily to prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings, which besides the residential structure also included George and Walt’s bar, Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt said.
There was some exposure damage to the residential building, causing the displacement of the five residents who were able to exit on their own.
A popular Rockridge district bookstore, East Bay Booksellers, was left a “total loss” after a three-alarm fire early Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Oakland, Calif. (Ray Chavez/ Bay Area News Group)
Hunt said the fire was contained within an hour.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported.
Although Hunt did not have an exact damage figure, he said the bookstore was “a total loss.”
College Avenue between Manila and Lawton avenues was closed while firefighters remained on the scene for mop-up and to make sure no new fires ignited, officials said.
An Oakland firefighter looks on after extinguishing a three-alarm fire at the East Bay Booksellers on College Avenue in Oakland, Calif., early on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Burned books remain in the bookshelves after Oakland firefighters extinguished a three-alarm fire at the East Bay Booksellers on College Avenue in Oakland, Calif., early on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
New owner Brad Johnson poses for a photo in one of book sections at East Bay Booksellers in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. The East Bay Booksellers replaced DIESEL, a well known bookstore located in the Rockdridge district. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A worker from an emergency services company looks on after Oakland firefighters extinguished a three-alarm fire at the East Bay Booksellers on College Avenue in Oakland, Calif., early on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
New owner Brad Johnson poses for a photo in front of the East Bay Booksellers store in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. The East Bay Booksellers replaced DIESEL, a well known bookstore located in the Rockridge district. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
An Oakland firefighter looks on after extinguishing a three-alarm fire at the East Bay Booksellers on College Avenue in Oakland, Calif., early on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
New owner Brad Johnson poses for a photo at the East Bay Booksellers in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. The East Bay Booksellers replaced DIESEL, a well known bookstore located in the Rockridge district. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
The East Bay Booksellers is a total loss after being destroyed by a three-alarm fire on College Avenue in Oakland, Calif., early on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
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An Oakland firefighter looks on after extinguishing a three-alarm fire at the East Bay Booksellers on College Avenue in Oakland, Calif., early on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
took over the site from DIESEL bookstore in 2017 and has been a popular destination for book lovers, getting many positive reviews from customers. It describes itself on its website as an “airy, independent bookstore also offering cards and gifts plus readings, karaoke and other events.”
