Displaced by deadly West Oakland fire, survivors fear what’s to come

The living conditions inside the building were deplorable, with rats and mice roaming around and squatters taking space on the third floor.

Residents of the three-story building where a fire killed four people early Monday said they had few options before they moved into the shabby residence at 2551 San Pablo Ave. in West Oakland.

Many of the more than 80 people displaced by the blaze spent Monday night in an emergency shelter at the West Oakland Youth Center on Market Street, the men in one room, the women in another, wondering where they would go next.

The deadly blaze broke out just after 5:30 a.m., forcing residents to scramble out their windows, leaving everything behind.

Tables of clothing and shoes had been set up outside the youth center, and many of the residents frantically searched through them to grab what they could.

Asia Wade, 32, sat in the early afternoon sun on a fire hydrant just outside the youth center, wearing a bright yellow shirt and a black jacket.

Wade had lived on the third floor of the building with her two children — her son, 9, and daughter, 11 — who were now staying at her mother’s house in East Oakland while she waited at the center for answers and money.

Randel and her family were homeless before moving into the building, where she paid $800 per month for a three-bedroom unit.

Caluya works as a cook at Oracle Arena — employed, but earning a paycheck that doesn’t go far in the Bay Area.

Anyone wishing to help fire victims should visit the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.

Check the option “Home Fire Relief” and note in the comments that the gift is earmarked for services to support families impacted by the 2551 San Pablo Ave./Mead Avenue fire in Oakland.