Berkeley firefighters rescued the unconscious occupant of a duplex apartment at 1716 Ward St. in Berkeley on Wednesday after a fire broke out at the home at around 8 p.m.
The person was treated immediately at the scene and taken to Alta Bates hospital, according to Berkeley Fire Chief Gil Dong.
The fire was called in by multiple people at, and after, 8:14 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, said Dong. When firefighters arrived at the scene, which is 1½ blocks west of Martin Luther King Jr. Way, they saw heavy black smoke coming from the rear of the property and were told that someone was trapped inside.
A second alarm was requested due to the amount of fire, and additional support was sent to help with the rescue and fire suppression.
“The first fire crew did a remarkable job in getting the occupant out quickly,” said Dong. He said there was reportedly also a flashover in one of the rooms while firefighters were conducting the rescue. No firefighters were injured during the incident.
Five people who live next door to the unit that caught fire have been displaced while crews determine whether electric systems in their homes are safe. The American Red Cross has provided temporary shelter and support.
The blaze was controlled by 8:48 p.m. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The Berkeley Fire Department has not yet interviewed either the occupant or witnesses.
The estimated damage to the property is valued at $100,000, with $15,000 in content damages.
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