Nearly 100 People Rescued From Three-Alarm Apartment Fire in Oakland

Oakland, California — September 25, 2026 — Nearly 100 people were rescued and evacuated after a three-alarm fire broke out at a four-story apartment building in East Oakland early Friday morning, according to fire officials.

The fire was reported at around 12:40 a.m. at a 21-unit apartment building on Bancroft Avenue. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames across all four floors of the building.

Oakland Fire Department crews carried out rescues on multiple floors as residents attempted to escape the burning building. Fire Chief Damon Covington said firefighters managed to get everyone out without a reported loss of life.

More than 60 firefighters responded to the emergency at its peak. Crews also evacuated residents from the remaining units after smoke and flames spread throughout the structure.

Four residents were taken to hospitals with injuries. Another report from Patch said one of those injured was a nine-year-old child. No firefighters were reported injured.

The fire left approximately 70 residents displaced, according to local authorities, while the building was declared unsafe to enter. Officials were considering establishing a temporary shelter for people who could no longer return home.

The exact cause of the fire had not been determined as of Friday. Fire officials said the investigation would continue while crews remained at the scene.

The incident highlighted the difficulty of evacuating a large residential building in the early hours of the morning, when many residents may be asleep. Firefighters conducted rescues from several floors before completing the evacuation.

No deaths were reported in the incident.

Sources:
CBS San Francisco – Oakland firefighters rescue nearly 100 people
SFGATE – Oakland apartment fire and rescues
Patch – 70 displaced, four injured following Oakland fire