Decomposing Body Found Near Fire At Oakland Homeless Encampment
OAKLAND (CBS SF) – Firefighters responding to a fire at a homeless encampment in Oakland have discovered a body in part of the camp that did not burn, according to the fire department.
Several dozen homeless people were displaced when the fire broke out at an encampment on East 12th Street and 22nd Avenue in the Fruitvale District around 2:40 a.m., said Oakland Fire Battalion Chief Desmond Simmons.
Although no one was killed or injured in the fire, firefighters found a body of a person who had apparently had been dead for several days, and the Oakland Police Department is now investigating that matter, Simmons said.
When the first firefighters arrived on scene, they called in three additional units to help battle the blaze.
About 50-60 people were displaced and about 15 to 16 tents were damaged according to Simmons. No injuries or deaths were reported.
Crews remained on scene Tuesday morning to extinguish hot spots.
Simmons said city resources would be brought in to assist victims and clear up debris.
The cause of the fire has not been determined and is under investigation.