Last night, at approximately 7:25 PM, the Oakland Fire Department (OFD) swiftly engaged in combating a blaze at the Rotary Nature Center on Bellevue Avenue, near Lake Merritt. According to their tweet, OFD reported that 20 firefighters were on the scene, managing to effectively contain the fire and limit its damage to 10-15% of the building's exterior wall and roof area.
Starting at 725pm, 20 firefighters responded to a fire at the Rotary Nature Center on Bellevue Ave off Lake Merritt. Crews successfully contained the fire to approx 10-15% of the exterior wall and roof area. Fire under control as of 745 and the cause is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/lgNqVVGhWs
— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) September 27, 2023
Although the tweet from OFD indicates that the fire was under control as of 7:45 p.m., the cause is still being investigated. As of now, there have been no reported casualties or injuries from this incident.
The Rotary Nature Center, a local educational and environmental hub, serves as a gateway to Oakland's Lake Merritt. This historic landmark provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about local wildlife and enjoy scenic views on the lake's shores. Although this fire thankfully did not cause widespread damage, preserving such cultural and natural resources remains a priority for the community.
