Investigators: Deadly Oakland fire appears to be accidental

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - Firefighters are investigating the cause of an apartment fire that killed two people in Oakland Monday morning.

It started at about 1 a.m. on Eastlawn Street.

A man and a woman both died in the fire, according to firefighters.

This is the third fire at the building since May.

The first fire was May 1, while the second fire was December 18. 

Officials with the Oakland Fire Department tell KTVU they believe this was an accidental fire, possibly related to cooking.

The fire on May 1 was in the top front of the building, while the Dec. 18th fire was a trash fire inside the bathroom.

Monday’s fire was in the front, bottom level.

Firefighters said there are four units in the apartment building.

“There was active fire on the top floor of the unit and there was heavy smoke damage throughout,” Battalion Chief Coy Justice said.

The names and ages of the victims have not yet been released.

It took about an hour to put the fire out, according to firefighters.