(KRON) — The Oakland Fireplace Division battled a big blaze that ignited simply earlier than midday Thursday in a former BBQ restaurant.
Flames burned a constructing at 2534 Mandela Parkway, the place Horn Barbecue beforehand operated a well-liked restaurant in West Oakland.
Firefighters mentioned the constructing is at present “abandoned.”
{A photograph} from OFD confirmed a column of black smoke rising from a constructing lined in graffiti. The hearth burned via the roof till firefighters had been capable of douse the blaze by 1:30 p.m.
Horn Barbecue closed down its West Oakland location in 2024 after struggling losses from theft, vandalism, and an arson fireplace. Proprietor Matt Horn mentioned his restaurant closed due to a sequence of setbacks and security issues, together with “unauthorized individuals” residing in his restaurant.
A number of fires have been reported within the constructing because it was deserted.
On Thursday a fireplace battalion chief mentioned, “We’ve been here before, at least a handful of times in the past six months. Witnesses said they have seen people coming in and out of here. We are going to be working to get this place secured.”
No accidents had been reported. Firefighters are investigating what sparked the constructing’s latest fireplace.