Firefighter Killed When Floor of Burning Building Collapses
Flames engulfed a two-story building housing a nightclub and apartment Sunday, killing one firefighter and injuring five other people, fire officials said.
The blaze broke out at the Back on Broadway club north of downtown Oakland about 10:40 a.m. and went to six alarms, fire officials said. More than 90 firefighters were at the scene.
The firefighter who died suffered chest injuries. His name had not been released pending notification of his family, City Manager Robert Bobb said.
Three residents were pulled to safety by an employee from a nearby car dealership before firefighters arrived at the scene, witnesses said. The residents were being treated for smoke inhalation, Battalion Chief James Edwards said.
Three firefighters, including the one killed, were trapped when a floor in the building collapsed, he said. The injured firefighters, who remained hospitalized, were identified as Sheree Rodriguez and Kenny Van Gorder.
It was not immediately known what sparked the fire, which was under control by 1 p.m.
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