The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating a devastating fire at an affordable housing development that was under construction in Oakland, Calif.
ATF has joined local authorities in trying to determine the cause of the June 14 blaze at the Red Star Senior Apartments. The 119-unit project sustained $25 million in damages, according to a preliminary estimate.
Developers The Michaels Development Co. and LINC Housing intend to rebuild the project. Located on the site of the former Red Star yeast factory, the development will provide 119 affordable apartments.
The fire occurred next to a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station and caused BART train service between the East Bay and San Francisco to be temporarily shut down.
ATF activated its National Response Team to assist in the probe, a sign of the seriousness of the fire. This is the ninth activation of the team in fiscal 2012.
