3-alarm fire burns Alameda apartment complex

A three-alarm apartment complex fire in Alameda displaced around 20 families and caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage, officials said saturday.

The fire at 909 Shorepoint Court near Westline Drive broke out before noon and was rapidly upgraded to three alarms, said Division Chief Daren Olson.

Sody Enkhbayar, one of the residents, said that a neighbor knocked on his door alerting him to the fire, which started in an adjacent apartment. When he opened up his front door, he saw smoke billowing through the hall and that’s when he went went back inside, grabbed some clothes and evacuated.

At least two rescues were made in the three-story building, but no injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported,said Alameda Fire Department  Division Chief Daren Olson.

Eight of the building's 18 units sustained heavy to moderate fire damage, Olson said.

An estimated 60 firefighters fought the fire that started on the second floor, Olson said.

Firefighters said they had to chase the blaze through ducts in the walls and ended up cutting a hole through the roof, which became so unstable, they were forced to retreat.

They were eventually able to contain the fire that afternoon, according to Olson.

There were no injuries, but firefighters said they rescued two residents who were standing on their balconies as smoke engulfed the building.

The fate of several pets is still unknown

Around half a dozen units were detsroyed and another 12 were damaged, Red  Cross spokeswoman Cynthia Shaw said. In addition, the building's power was switched off, forcing most residents out at least temporarily.  

Around 20 families have been displaced by the fire, according to the American Red Cross.

It's not clear yet how many of those displaced will need shelter,  although it remained unclear how many of those people would need assistance with housing.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.