A large fire broke out at a building under construction in Redwood City on Monday, forcing evacuations.
More than five hours after the fire started, firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the building where it began, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
No injuries have been reported from the fire, but air quality advisories have been issued and winds are expected to blow smoke across the peninsula as far as San Jose.
Aerial photos show the remains of a building under construction in Redwood City that was destroyed by fire.
Aerial footage taken by NBC Bay Area’s Sky Ranger on Monday afternoon showed flames ravaging buildings and gutting the construction site.
Firefighters said the eight-alarm blaze was first reported at 10:15 a.m. in the 2700 block of Middlefield Road. Menlo Park Conservation District Chief Mark Lorenzen said the blaze was difficult to put out because the building wasn’t yet fully constructed.
“The buildings under construction have no fire suppression systems, no sprinklers, no fire barriers, just wood, so they burn quickly like a fireplace,” Lorenzen said.
Evacuation orders were issued to residents between Pacific Avenue and Calvin Avenue, and were later extended to include residents on Dumbarton Avenue.
Menlo Park Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen provided an update on Monday’s massive, eight-alarm fire that destroyed a building under construction in Redwood City.
About 200 people were evacuated, Lorenzen said, and about 100 construction workers who were inside the building also evacuated on their own.
Many residents evacuated, but some refused, saying their homes were all they had left.
“They told us to evacuate and that they were going to move the safe zone another block away, but I said, ‘This is my home, I’m not leaving,'” Reyes-Martinez said. “Insurance won’t pay for repairs, so me and my neighbors decided to stay and just fight.”
Salvador Cuevas agreed with Martinez.
“I want to defend my place. This is everything to me,” Cuevas said. “I know it’s hard, but if the worst comes to the worst, we need to get out. I want to fight the fires.”
Officials announced Monday afternoon that some of the evacuees have finally been allowed to return to their homes.
Several evacuation centres have been set up for the victims.
The North Fair Oaks Library, Fair Oaks Community Center, and Veterans Memorial Senior Center will offer services at various times: North Fair Oaks Library will be open until 8 PM, and Fair Oaks Community Center will be open until 5 PM.
Scott McGrew describes how quickly the flames spread through a building under construction in Redwood City.
Classes were closed for the day at Garfield Community School on Middlefield Road, a spokesman for the Redwood City School District said. Parents were advised to pick up their children, officials said.
“Due to smoke from the fire on Middlefield Road, the school will be closed immediately for the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff. We want to assure you that everyone at the school is safe,” school officials said.
The fire started on the fifth floor of the building, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. Lorenzen said winds caused the flames and embers to spread quickly through the building.
San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa called Monday’s massive fire that destroyed affordable housing under construction a “tragedy” and a “setback” for the region.
San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa said the 179-unit building was a major contribution to the development of the area. When completed, the building would have served as affordable housing, Canepa said.
Construction of the attractive $155 million residential project was scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2025.
Caltrain service was also suspended in Redwood City while firefighters worked to put out the blaze, authorities said.
Officials said the cause of the fire is unknown and remains under investigation.
Redwood City resident Christine Tran recounts how she was evacuated after a fire in Redwood City engulfed a building she was working on construction in.
Firefighters were battling a large blaze at a building under construction in Redwood City on Monday.
