3-alarm Redwood City structure fire displaces two families

Redwood City Fire officials said two families were displaced and five structures were impacted by a three-alarm fire on Poplar Ave. Tuesday afternoon.

The Redwood City Police Department X account posted about the fire shortly after 12 p.m., asking people to avoid the area of the 300 block of Poplar Ave., which is near El Camino Real and the Redwood Junction neighborhood of Redwood City.

Chopper footage from the fire showed multiple Redwood City Fire Department trucks at the scene. The fire appeared to have spread to nearby trees at the property that was burning. There was evidence of lumber in the area of the fire, suggesting it may have happened at a construction site.

A post on the Redwood City Instagram page advised Fair Oaks Elementary and nearby residents to shelter in place due to smoke in the area.

Fire officials later said that the three-alarm fire brought 60-70 firefighters to the scene and impacted four structures, leaving two families displaced. The fire department first received reports of the fire at around 11:45 a.m.

The Red Cross is assisting at least three families-- between 15 and 18 people-- and some pets are reported missing, Deputy Fire Chief Marta Barker said.  

There were no reported injuries to people or firefighters. As of 6:15 p.m., most of the scene had been cleared, but an engine remained on site doing fire watch, according to Barker. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

In:
• Fire
• Redwood City