34 Acre Wildfire Out, Power Restored To 5500 In Newark

NEWARK, CA — A vegetation fire burned 34 acres in Newark Tuesday afternoon and evening before being halted by firefighters from multiple jurisdictions. No injuries were reported and no structures were lost.

P.G.&E. was called to de-energize electricity in the area, impacting more than 5,500 customers. At the time, it was the largest power outage in the Bay Area.

The Alameda County Fire Department was notified of the fire at Eureka Drive and Stevenson Boulevard shortly before 4 p.m., according to department spokesperson Cheryl Hurd.

Wind spread the fire and drove it toward the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, halting train traffic.

Firefighters battled the wind to keep flames away from commercial buildings in the area. A bulldozer joined the firefight.

By 5:30 p.m the fire had escalated to a third alarm and mutual aid.

The fire was contained by 7 p.m.

Trains were running again, at reduced speed, by 8 p.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.