A four-alarm fire ripped through the port of Benicia on Saturday near the Amports docks, prompting fire crews to race into action and up to 100 spectators to come out and watch the dark plumes of smoke lick the sky.
on Saturday near the Amports docks, prompting fire crews to race into action and up to 100 spectators to come out and watch the dark plumes of smoke lick the sky.
Despite the dramatic scene of the fire, Benicia firefighters said that the wind conditions late afternoon were "favorable." No structures have burned, and there was no health threat to the public, the firefighters said.The Port of Benicia is located at the head of San Francisco Bay. SSA Marine provides contract stevedoring for auto vessels at the privately operated port. The orange flames and dark smoke clouds could be seen throughout the East Bay.
The fire drew a heavy response and mutual aid from Vallejo, Contra Costa County Fairfield, Valero, Cordelia and American Canyon fire departments, as well as fire boats from Oakland, San Francisco and the Naval Weapons Station in Concord.