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Los Trancos Woods: Fire destroys garage, two vehicles and part of house  

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A two-alarm structure fire significantly damaged a home at 5 Joaquin Road in Los Trancos Woods after destroying the garage, two vehicles inside the garage and parts of the attached house at around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 22, Battalion Chief Rob Lindner of the Woodside Fire Protection District told the Almanac.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries; they were treated on the scene and stayed on duty, firefighters said. Asked how much of the house was damaged, Mr. Lindner said, "Not 100 percent (but) I don't think anybody's living there."

The residents, a man and a woman, were at home at the time of the fire and made the 911 call, firefighters said. While a fire crew maintained a watch overnight, the fire itself was contained within the first hour, firefighters said.

Participating in putting out the fire were nine fire engines and a breathing support truck staffed with firefighters from the Woodside district and from the Redwood City Fire Department, the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, and San Mateo County, Mr. Lindner said. A ladder truck was on call but not needed.

Also at the ready at the Portola Road fire station were local firefighters from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Upon arriving at the fire, Woodside district battalion chiefs declared a second alarm after determining that the fire was threatening the woods around the home. The second alarm brought in Cal Fire, but firefighters kept the blaze from spreading so the Cal Fire resources were not needed, Mr. Lindner said.

An initial investigation had the fire starting in the garage and spreading to the house, including the attic, which meant that firefighters had to ventilate the roof of the house, Mr. Lindner said.

The fire damaged a power line that was arcing during the fire, and melted a gas meter, after which firefighters allowed the gas to burn off safely until Pacific Gas & Electric workers arrived to shut off the supply.

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Comments

Posted by Amelia Gough, a resident of the Portola Valley: Los Trancos Woods/Vista Verde neighborhood, on Aug 28, 2012 at 5:52 pm

This was my childhood home. Its all I knew until I got married. So sad:( I am just glad all the family members are alright.


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