UPDATE: Menlo Park Fire May Have Been Sparked at Homeless Encampment

UPDATE 7:40 P.M.

Firefighters were mopping up a two-alarm grass fire in Menlo Park that burned 13 acres Monday afternoon, according to a fire chief.

Fire officials with the Redwood City Fire Department first reported the blaze, happening at University Avenue and Bayfront Expressway, around 4 p.m. The fire was mostly out around 6 p.m., with a few remaining hot spots and flare-ups, according to Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District.

The blaze was confined to a marsh area which is home to a number of homeless encampments, Schapelhouman said.

"It looks like it started at one of the encampments," Schapelhouman said. "The official cause is pending, but that's definitely very suspect."

The fire briefly threatened power lines, but did not damage any structures. No injuries have been reported, according to Schapelhouman.

University Avenue was temporarily closed at Purdue Avenue due to the fire, but it has reopened, Schapelhouman said.

UPDATE 5:08 PM

Harold Schapelhouman of Menlo Fire stated in a live interview that University Avenue is still closed. According to Schapelhouman, there are still no evacuations, no injuries have been reported, and fire crews are battling the fire against wind gusts up to 25 mph. Schapelhouman said it appears that the fire started in a homeless encampment.

----------------------------

UPDATE 5:02 PM

East Palo Alto Police Department reports: "Right now, East Palo Alto houses are not being asked to evacuate, but that is no guarantee of safety."

-------------------

MENLO PARK, CA- Firefighters are working to extinguish a two-alarm grass fire in Menlo Park this afternoon. Fire officials with the Redwood City Fire Department first reported the blaze, happening at University Avenue and Bayfront Expressway, around 4 p.m.

University Avenue is currently closed at Purdue Avenue, according to East Palo Alto police. They're asking residents to avoid the area.

This is a developing story. Click refresh for updates.