On Wednesday, March 6^th, just after 9:30am, Piedmont dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call from a neighbor of 265 Sea View Avenue reporting smoke on the second floor. Piedmont firefighters arrived on scene within minutes to find fire blowing out of multiple second story windows.

First on scene Captain Jon Fitzpatrick immediately called for mutual aid from Oakland, whose units arrived a few minutes later. After confirming that no one was inside the house, firefighters aggressively attacked the fire and made access to the roof to ventilate the heat and smoke.

The crew fought through thick smoke to find the seat of the fire which was on the second floor and extended into the attic. Additional crews stopped the spread before it could reach other parts of the house. Once extinguished, firefighters worked for hours to ensure all hot spots were extinguished.

Fire Chief Dave Brannigan praised the teamwork and bravery of his crews, “Any fire fight is a complicated and dangerous operation. This fire was advanced upon our arrival. Piedmont Fire’s aggressive attack, supported by Oakland Fire’s rapid response allowed our crews to contain the fire effectively and safely. It’s always a win when everyone walks away from a fire without injuries.”

Brannigan added “This fire is a reminder for everyone to ensure their smoke detectors are properly installed and batteries are fresh.” Any Piedmont resident who needs help with a smoke detector can request it from the Fire Department by calling 510-420-3030 or emailing [email protected].

Damage to the second story of the home was extensive. Following the event, Piedmont Building Official Paki Muthig assessed the structure for safety.

Fire investigators are working to determine the likely origin and cause of the fire. Officials have no comment on a possible cause as the investigation is ongoing.