Bay Area Apartment Fire Displaces A Dozen People

FREMONT, CA — A fire at a Fremont apartment complex Tuesday night displaced 13 residents but was quickly contained by firefighters, authorities said.

The Fremont Fire Department responded to a report of a working fire around 10:22 p.m. at the Birchwood Garden apartments, 3500 Pennsylvania Ave. The first fire engine arrived in under five minutes, where crews encountered heavy fire venting from a second-floor unit.

Firefighters launched an aggressive attack and were able to contain the fire to the unit of origin, though adjacent units and the attic sustained minor damage, officials said. The blaze was brought under control by 10:50 p.m.

A total of 21 firefighters responded, including four fire engines, two fire trucks, a Staff Captain and two Battalion Chiefs. Additional assistance was provided by Fremont Police, Falck Ambulance, PG&E, and the Fremont Fire Department Rehab Unit.

Although no injuries were reported among residents, firefighters or other public safety personnel, the fire displaced the occupants of all four units in the building.

While board-up crews worked at the scene, they discovered hot spots in hidden void spaces in a shared common wall with a neighboring unit. Fire crews reopened areas to fully extinguish remaining fire extensions.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by Fremont Fire Department fire investigators.