Take a look at Google maps of that area, Oakland Fire Station 13 is right out the bok door-a stones throw away. How could they walk by this for YEARS and ignore it?
See my post 7. It doesn't have anything to do with "ignoring" it. If it wasn't on their list and they didn't have a specific fire code related complaint, the fire department inspectors had no reason to go inside.
One has to wonder, but it isn't the rank and file FFs that are to blame here. This is squarely on the Chief, and she needs to be terminated and charged with dereliction of duty and manslaughter. I did look at it on the map though and it's a tenth of a mile as the crow flies.