No Injuries In Fast-Moving Alameda 3-Alarm Fire
ALAMEDA (KCBS)— No injuries were reported in a three-alarm fire Saturday that displaced at least 12 residents of an apartment complex in Alameda.
The three-story building at Westline Drive across from Crown Memorial State Beach and near the South Shore Beach and Tennis Club was the scene of chaos. According to Alameda County Fire Spokeswoman Aisha Knowles,the fire at Shorepoint & Westline was first reported at 11:20 in the morning.
Casey Jenks, who lives on the third floor, said she and her roommates first heard the fire alarm, then saw people running, followed by smoke coming up from the second floor.
"We grabbed our animals, we grabbed everything. We ran down the hallway, ran down the stairs and started coughing from all the smoke."
She said that when she ran out she noticed the windows bursting from the second floor.
"The fire was coming out and that's when we knew that this was something huge," Jenks said.
Firefighters arrived within minutes and then quickly called for a second and third alarm, bringing fire crews from as far away as Moraga and Fremont for help.
At least six units suffered severe fire damage. A few more likely suffered smoke or water damage.
Alameda Fire Division Chief Daren Olson said crews will be on the scene until they are absolutely convinced that there is no remaining fire and that the building is safe to leave in the owner's care.
"They'll have to make sure the building is secure," Olson said.
The Red Cross mobile unit was on hand with about 12 volunteers to assist those that were affected by the blaze and displaced.
Though no one was injured, there were some pets that were unaccounted for early on.
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