Crews on Friday dealt with a four-alarm fire at Hayward Staple ‘Hollywood Bowl’. Hayward fire Captain Don Nickelson says the fire was reported at 6:05 pm and was not fully contained until 9:30 pm. The Holiday Bowl has been closed since 2005 and has remained a staple in Hayward at 29827 Mission Blvd.
Firefighter crews were initially battling the blaze from indoors but then had to retreat because of the state of the fire. So, the fire was contained from outside of the abandoned building. There are no reported injuries and the investigation is currently ongoing.
Captain Don mentioned there was a small fire last month that was rumored to be started by houseless folks that were in the building. Others on social media have been speculating the fire was created in order to build more condo's in the new "SoHay" community in the name of gentrification.
While the investigation continues, the Hayward community definitely felt a way seeing the old bowling alley in flames. Although the building has been empty for what seems like forever now, a lot of our childhood memories were spent at Hollywood Bowl. Seeing it burn down feels like an official end to an important era.
Fun fact: In 1965, Ronald Reagan had a campaign fundraiser kick-off in the banquet room of the Holiday Bowl!
Photo: @angelinaonair