Structure fire at 3525 Mission Drive 09:53 on Tuesday February 3

Prepared By: Mike DeMars – Public Information Officer

SCR911 received numerous reports of a confirmed structure fire at this address. Callers reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the home. A column of black smoke could be seen from several miles away.

Firefighters arrived at the scene to find a two-story, multifamily dwelling with smoke and flame spreading from the first to second story. One engine company began extinguishing the fire while a second crew began cutting a ventilation hole in the roof. Once the roof was ventilated, flames rose approximately twenty feet into the air from the hole. Firefighters then evacuated the roof and fought the fire from below.

The main body of fire, which was in the concealed attic space, was brought under control and extinguished. Three of the five occupants were home when the fire began. A “crackling “ sound and the smell of smoke alerted them to the presence of fire. Smoke alarms were present in the house, but the batteries had been removed. The home was not equipped with a residential fire sprinkler system. Two of the three apartments were made uninhabitable due to fire, smoke and heat damage. The displaced residents received assistance from the Santa Cruz chapter of the Red Cross. One resident was treated for first degree burns and smoke inhalation.

The fire’s area of origin has been determined to be a patio on the exterior of the home, adjacent to the first floor apartment. The cause of the fire is undetermined and still under investigation.