The buildings had no running water, illegal wiring, boarded up windows and rodent infestations, officials said.

Some of the 194 displaced residents from the 61 units were staying with family and friends. Others are being put up in an emergency shelter at the Ira Jinkins Recreation Center at 9175 Edes Ave.

The decrepit Amber Tree Garden Apartments at 2555 and 2567 Foothill Blvd. came to the attention of city officials after a fire erupted in one of the units Monday, the same day water was shut off to the property after the bill wasn't paid, said Claudia Burgos, an aide to City Councilman Ignacio de la Fuente, whose district includes the buildings.

"It was pretty terrible conditions," Burgos said. "The units that were vacant had been taken over by vandals. There were broken windows all over the place, garbage and debris, a rodent infestation. ... It's pretty bad."

Residents had tapped into exterior power sources and were using extension cords to get electricity into their homes, she said.

"There was open electrical wiring. I know there was structural damage," said Battalion Chief Robert Lipp of the Oakland Fire Department. "There are some parts of the building that are really questionable."

The complex has continued to decay since the owner died last year and left it to his widow, who has been unable to maintain them and filed for bankruptcy, Burgos said. The bank has refused to foreclose and take ownership, she said.

"They're like, 'We're just the lender; we're not the owner,' " Burgos said.

Residents will be able to collect their belongings over the next couple of days until the buildings are completely boarded up on Friday, she said.

Residents will be given emergency hotel vouchers and assistance with storage and relocating, but what happens then is unclear.

E-mail John Coté at jcote@sfchronicle.com.