Oakland bookstore gutted in 3-alarm fire

A three-alarm fire early Tuesday left a popular Oakland bookstore a "total loss," officials said.

OAKLAND — A popular Rockridge district bookstore was left a “total loss” after a three-alarm fire early Tuesday, officials said.

The fire also left five people living in an adjacent residence displaced, officials said.

The fire at East Bay Booksellers, 5433 College Ave., erupted about 5:25 a.m. inside the two-story business, officials said.

The fire went to a third alarm within a short time, primarily to prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings, which besides the residential structure also included George and Walt’s bar, Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt said.

There was some exposure damage to the residential building, causing the displacement of the five residents who were able to exit on their own.

Hunt said the fire was contained within an hour, but still had not been declared officially under control as of 8 a.m.

Although Hunt did not have an exact damage figure, he said the bookstore was “a total loss.”

College Avenue between Manila and Lawton avenues was closed while firefighters remained on the scene for mop-up and to make sure no new fires ignited, officials said.

East Bay Booksellers took over the site from DIESEL bookstore in 2017 and has been a popular destination for book lovers, getting many positive reviews from customers. It describes itself on its website as an “airy, independent bookstore also offering cards and gifts plus readings, karaoke and other events.”