Oakland fire crews control two-alarm fire at Fruitvale District shopping center

OAKLAND — A two-alarm fire in the Fruitvale District burned a clothing store and spread to two other businesses Monday, fire officials said.

Crews controlled the blaze just before 12:15 p.m., about 55 minutes after they first were called to the 3300 of Farnam Street, Oakland Fire Lt. Charleton Lightfoot said. They found out later the fire originated in a clothing store with an address in the 3300 block of International Boulevard, he said.

Two other businesses also were damaged, but Lightfoot did not say immediately what kind of businesses they were.

A firefighter suffered a minor injury but was treated at the scene and did not need hospitalization, Lightfoot said. Everybody inside the building or associated with the damaged businesses was outside when fire crews arrived, and nobody else was injured, he said.

“We know that it started at the rear of the building in the clothing store,” Lightfoot said. “But what caused it and the exact origin of where it began will have to be determined by the investigation.”

The fire comes just three days after crews put out a three-alarm blaze at a warehouse in the Fruitvale District that destroyed several businesses tied to an art collective.

Check back for updates.