Multiple Birds Die In Lamorinda Structure Fire

LAFAYETTE, CA — Multiple birds died Sunday night in Lafayette when the outbuildings they lived in caught fire, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said.

Shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday, multiple people called 911 to report a fire producing a large column of smoke visible for miles. Several callers believed it was a structure fire somewhere in the vicinity of Robles Court in Lafayette.

Engine 15 from Lafayette arrived on Robles Court and declared the incident a "rescue fire" because flames were seen coming from behind multiple homes and residents were possibly trapped in a house on Robles Court, officials with Con Fire said.

At this time, a second-alarm fire response was requested which would bring more firefighters and resources.

Shortly thereafter, the crew from Engine 15 ensured the residents of the home on Robles Court were safe.

Engine 17 from Lafayette then relayed through the fire radio that the best way to access the fire was via Hidalgo Court.

It was soon determined no homes were on fire.

The location of the fire was confirmed to be two outbuildings for housing birds on the property of 1124 Hidalgo Court.

The second alarm request for additional personnel was continued when the fire started burning trees on the property — casting embers on surrounding properties. Fire crews performed an aggressive, offensive fire attack and contained the blaze within 12 minutes of the first engine’s arrival.

The fire was contained to the two outbuildings, although there was some extension into a garden storage area.

A total of 38 fire personnel responded from Con Fire and the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. The Lafayette Police Department and PG&E were also on scene.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. However, multiple birds that belonged to the property owner died in the fire.

A fire watch crew stayed overnight to look for additional hot spots, and a small rekindle occurred in the early morning hours near one of the buildings. The area was already soaked with water and firefighting foam so the fire was small and was quickly extinguished by one engine company.

Fire watch continued throughout the day Tuesday.

Fire investigators suspect the cause was an electrical issue, officials with Con Fire said.