Man killed in Oakland homeless encampment fire

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU, BCN) - A man died early Monday morning, in a homeless encampment fire in West Oakland.

The fire was reported at 5:23 a.m. in the area of Northgate Avenue and Sycamore Street, near Interstate Highway 980 in Oakland.

Some residents of the encampment had built makeshift sheds, using two-by-fours and plywood, making the structures very flammable, according to investigators. 

"They're getting very creative," said Battalion Chief Ian McWhorter. 

The structure that burned had a door, but probably not a smoke alarm, he said. 

The fire was contained to that one structure, investigators said.

There were no reports of injuries.

Investigators are trying to determine how the fire started.