George Kelly
East Bay Times
OAKLAND, Calif. — Investigators looking into a three-alarm East Oakland fire early Sunday said it was caused by illegal fireworks, heightening concerns about the munitions’ ongoing sale and increasing usage as the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches.
At 3:09 a.m., firefighters responded to a vegetation fire call at Crest Avenue and Fontaine Street in the city’s Oak Knoll/Golf Links neighborhood, Oakland Fire Department officials said on social media.
Fifty-six firefighters responded aboard multiple engines and trucks and managed to extinguish the 2.5-acre blaze, with no damage or threat to structures and no injuries.
In a statement June 18, police and fire officials said they were working to spread word about the dangers of illegal fireworks, noting that individuals caught with them can face imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000, and adding that roving patrols during the upcoming holiday weekend will be watching for firework usage as well as celebratory gunfire.
Residents may report gunshots or gunfire by calling 911 or Oakland police’s non-emergency number at 510-777-3211, and may report illegal firework activity, sales or caches by calling a tip line at 510-238-2373 or a non-emergency number at 510-777-3333.
Oakland Fire officials have set up fireworks collection barrels at fire stations No. 1, 1603 Martin Luther King Jr. Way; No. 3, 1445 14th Street; No. 4, 1235 International Boulevard; No. 5, 934 34th Street; No. 18, 5008 Bancroft Avenue; and No. 20, 1401 98th Avenue.
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©2020 the Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.)
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