Calif. firefighter burned in ‘maze-like’ fire

Building’s layout made it difficult for firefighters as many rooms were divided, creating maze of passageways

July 09, 2012 06:09 AM

By Paul T. Rosynsky
The Oakland Tribune

OAKLAND, Calif. — A 30-minute fire gutted at least two floors of a downtown Oakland vacant building Sunday morning and burned one firefighter.

Oakland firefighters responded at about 9:19 a.m. to a “well-involved” fire at 1608 Webster St., where a fire began between the first and second floors of a three-story brick building. The fire was under control by 9:47 a.m.

Battalion Chief Emon Usher said no one was inside the building and there were no signs it was being used by squatters. Usher said the building’s layout made it difficult for firefighters as many rooms were divided creating a maze of passageways throughout the first two stories.

One firefighter suffered minor burns to his face and neck, according to ABC7.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Usher said.

Usher said neighboring business owners reported that the building has had numerous fires in recent weeks.