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Cooking food left unattended appears to be the cause of a Menlo Park apartment complex fire that displaced four residents Tuesday night.
More than that, it was the building’s lack of fire-prevention amenities that made gaining control of the blaze difficult for firefighters.
The fire broke out at around 8 p.m. at a newly renovated apartment complex at 720 Coleman Ave., according to Menlo Park fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman.
The fire was quickly contained to one unit on the first floor of the two-story apartment complex and under control in about 30 minutes. Even so, smoke spread quickly through the ventilation system of the building, which was not equipped with a sprinkler system and did not appear to have fire stops in the attic space, Schapelhouman said.
It was a good thing the nearest fire station is only blocks away, according to Schapelhouman.
“We were lucky we got on it early and fast,” he said.
Schapelhouman said the building’s lack of fire prevention amenities could result in a fire bureau investigation.
“We’re looking at the construction techniques used in the remodel,” he said. “Certain standards have to be employed.”
A police officer aiding in the emergency effort suffered from smoke inhalation and has since been treated and released, Schapelhouman said. No other injuries were reported.
The Red Cross has been summoned to assist four people displaced by the fire.
Five engine companies, one ladder truck, two battalion chiefs and one air support unit helped battle the blaze.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Fire officials don’t have a damage estimate at this point.
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