Residential Fire in the 500 Block of Central Avenue

On Thursday, March 26, at 8:49 a.m., a 9-1-1 call was received reporting a fire in a multi-family apartment complex in the 500 block of Central Avenue. The building's occupants self-evacuated before firefighters arrived.

Fire units were dispatched at 8:50 a.m. and arrived on the scene at 8:52 a.m. Upon arrival, units found an active fire coming from the second floor of a two-story, multi-family residential apartment complex. Before fire crews arrived on the scene, the building's Senior Maintenance Technician held the fire at bay using a fire extinguisher. Firefighters quickly extinguished the remaining flames with a fire-attack hose line, preventing the fire from spreading further into the building.

Firefighters performed an extensive overhaul of the living room, cutting open walls to ensure the fire was completely extinguished and had not spread through the wall cavities. The fire was extinguished without injury. The Mountain View Police Department provided traffic control for 90 minutes while fire units and equipment were on the scene.

The residents received a $250 gift card from the California Professional Firefighters Union Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) Program. Due to fire and smoke damage, the American Red Cross was contacted to potentially provide aid to the four residents, including two adults and two children. The Mountain View Firefighters Random Acts, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity, gifted the family $1,000. The family made temporary arrangements to stay with friends.

The space near the entertainment center in the living room was determined to be the fire's area of origin. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The estimated damage to the contents and structure is $25,000. The quick response of the first-in engine company confined a significant amount of damage to the room of origin. The building was released to the property manager before fire crews left the scene.

By following a few safety tips, you can protect your family in case of a residential fire.
• Have smoke alarms on every level of your home and in each bedroom, testing them monthly, and replacing them every 10 years.
• Make a home escape plan and discuss the plan with everyone in your home.
• Practice your plan twice a year, day and night.
• Once you are out of the residence, stay out, and call for help.
Photographs

Individual images can be found at Flickr.com/photos/MVpublicsafety.

Please credit the images: Courtesy of the City of Mountain View Fire Department.

Media Contact
Robert Maitland, Fire Department PIO
650-903-6825 or [email protected]