Elevator Shaft Blaze Hospitalizes 2 Workers: Palo Alto Fire

PALO ALTO, CA — Two building maintenance staffers were transported to the hospital with "significant" but not life threatening burns when the elevator work they were doing Tuesday prompted a fire in the elevator shaft.

The two people were in the shaft at the time, Palo Alto Deputy Fire Chief Kevin McNally told Patch.

Palo Alto firefighters to the mixed-use building at 2865 Park Boulevard near Page Mill Road at 10:40 a.m. The fire alarm went off, but the blaze was out by the time crews arrived. They conducted a safety check, and a fire investigator is on the scene along with the city's utility workers to restore the power, McNally added. Palo Alto runs its own utilities. The alarm and sprinkler systems are functioning again.

The building's three floors were evacuated, with commercial on the first floor and the other two deemed residential. No one was hurt.

The Palo Alto Police Department provided assistance by closing off Park Boulevard between Page Mill Road and Olive Avenue. It's unclear when police officers are expected to reopen the route.