Which one of you Oakland cats set the fire on I-Blvd today?
What began around 2 p.m. as a three-alarm fire that has engulfed several structures in East Oakland has become a five-alarm blaze. Flames 30 feet high and thick black smoke that could be seen all over the city, although at 4:45 p.m. the smoke has mostly diminished, centering lower around the affected areas. Also by 4:45 the fire had burned half of a city block of structures, including two churches, one freestanding and another a storefront church, a liquor store, produce market and another business.
The fire, which broke out in the 9300 block of International Boulevard, began with an explosion in the back of a lot where a church, a produce market and a metal spring coil business are located.