Oakland's Fire Chief says the fire that damaged three homes Thursday appears to have been an accident.
He also credited homeowners for complying with defensible space preparations, saying that "truly made a difference" in firefighters' efforts to prevent the flames from spreading. A column of black smoke rising from the Oakland hills was visible from miles away Thursday, as firefighters got the call at 4:17 p.m. about a burning house on Aitken Drive near Evergreen Avenue.
About 50 firefighters responded to the three-alarm fire, concerned that flames could spread in the wooded area to nearby homes.
Sitting inside his Oakland home Thursday afternoon, Kevin Becraft says he suddenly heard a crackling sound outside.