Palo Alto House Fire Prompts Evacuations
PALO ALTO (KCBS/BCN) - A two-alarm house fire in Palo Alto Friday morning caused the evacuation of about nine surrounding homes, a police spokeswoman said.
The fire at 1005 University Ave. in northern Palo Alto began at 7:07 a.m., Palo Alto police Lt. Sandra Brown said.
The blaze, possibly caused by an unattended candle, has caused extensive damage to the home, Brown said.
A total of about 15 people were immediately evacuated from the burning house, homes on either side of it and houses behind it, Brown said.
John Beamer said he was jolted awake at 7 a.m. on Friday by intense heat and smoke in the room next to his bedroom.
"A desk was on fire. That's where I keep candles, so I assume that's what happened, I forgot to put it out," he told KCBS reporter Matt Bigler at the scene.
Beamer was able to get his entire family out safely, including his elderly mother and their new dog.
The Menlo Park Fire Protection District is assisting in battling the fire, which was not extinguished as of 8:45 a.m. The blaze was not threatening the surrounding homes, according to Brown.
No one was injured in the fire and there are no signs of foul play, she said.
University Avenue will be closed by authorities between Chaucer and Seneca streets until at least 11 a.m., Brown said. Traffic is being redirected down Hamilton and Palo Alto avenues.
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