Berkeley Woman Dies in Duplex Fire

Firefighters rescued the resident but were unable to revive her.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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A Berkeley woman was pronounced dead at the scene on Wednesday after a fire broke out in her duplex just south of Strawberry Creek Park. Firefighters responded quickly and were able to rescue the woman from the burning home, but she was unresponsive and did not survive.

Why it matters

Residential fires are a major public safety concern, and this tragic incident highlights the importance of fire prevention and emergency response efforts in the Berkeley community.

The details

Just before 4 p.m., the Berkeley Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire with a resident still inside on Poe Street, a small cul-de-sac, at Bonar Street. Firefighters found the woman unconscious inside the home and were able to bring her out, but she had no pulse or heartbeat and was pronounced dead at the scene. The fire caused significant damage to one side of the duplex, and the resident of the other unit was displaced but able to find their own temporary housing.

  • The fire was reported just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.

The players

Berkeley Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the emergency call and attempted to rescue the resident.

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What’s next

The coroner's office will be responding to the scene to investigate the cause of death.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of fire safety and the need for continued vigilance in the Berkeley community to prevent such devastating losses.