$130,000 Loss, 6 Displaced From Menlo Park Structure Fire

MENLO PARK, CA -- A multi structure fire at 7th Avenue in North Fair Oaks that Menlo Park firefighters took four hours to clear consumed three buildings and a recreational vehicle causing $130,000 in damage and displaced six people - five adults and one child.

As a result, the buildings were red-tagged to determine they cannot be occupied. Fire officials also discovered code violations on the scene called in at 11:27 a.m. Tuesday. The Red Cross was called in to help with the displacement of the occupants.

No one was hurt.

San Mateo County Public Safety Communications received multiple calls of smoke coming from the backyard of a residential structure located in the unincorporated Area of North Fair Oaks. Menlo Park Fire District Truck 1 with acting Capt. Dave Bragg and crew arrived to the heavy fire coming from several structures to the rear of the uninvolved main house.

Initial concerns of occupants inside were resolved, as everyone escaped safely.

More units showed up to help with the massive blaze that may have traveled if not for the quick diligence of the fire protection district. Redwood City Engine 11 was directed to the 6th Avenue to cover the rear side of the involved property.

A total of five engines, one ladder truck and two battalion chiefs with 21 personnel responded on the first alarm. An additional four engines, a rescue unit, ladder truck and two battalion chiefs consisting of an another 20 personnel came on board for part of the second alarm.

It was determined that the primary structure was unoccupied at the time of the fire with the last occupant having left at least 20 minutes prior to the discovery of the fire. The structures were so significantly damaged and destroyed, that the cause is “undetermined” and the exact location of where the fire started is “unknown," Menlo Park Fire reported.

Discrepancies in code compliant building standards were identified and a quick records review of permitted structures on site only identified a smaller main home and no secondary structures. Pacific Gas & Electric arrived on-scene and was directed to pull both the gas and electrical meters.

"(Fire investigators) will also be following up with the (San Mateo) county on code compliance and actual permitting, which are always a potential underlying concern in North Fair Oaks. We understand and are sympathetic to the housing challenges and shortage, but potential illegal, non-permitted and compliant buildings can, and have, injured and killed residents and firefighters," said Harold Schapelhouman, Menlo Park Fire Protection District chief.