City Sets up Evacuation Center for Residents Displaced in Friday's Fire

By Bay City News

An evacuation center has been set up for 16 residents who were displaced by a six-alarm fire that spread from a machine shop in Redwood City on Friday morning, a city spokeswoman said.
           
The residents lived in an apartment building that was significantly damaged by a fire that started at 894 Douglas Ave., city spokeswoman Sheri Costa-Batis said.
           
FMW Machine Shop is located at that address.
           
Earlier reports indicated that there were 17 displaced residents but the American Red Cross counted 16 people and have set up an evacuation center at Fair Oaks Community Center, she said.
           
The center is located at 2600 Middlefield Road in Redwood City.
           
Of the 16 displaced, six are under 11 years old, Costa-Batis said.

Firefighters responded to the blaze at about 5:50 a.m., according to a San Mateo County fire dispatcher.

Firefighters had the blaze under control by 10:30 a.m., Redwood City Fire Marshal Jim Palisi said.
           
Before firefighters could contain the massive blaze, it spread to a nearby apartment building, causing "significant" damage, Palisi said.
           
No injuries were reported, according to Palisi.
           
Damage to the machine shop was extensive, including the collapse of the building's roof, Palisi said.
           
The fire also damaged two nearby industrial businesses, he said.
           
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and a damage cost estimate was not immediately available, Costa-Batis said.
           
The fire was not extinguished as of 5 p.m. and firefighters remained on the scene through the evening, she said.
           
The San Mateo County Health System advised residents to stay indoors during the blaze to avoid exposure to smoke.
           
An inspector from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has also visited the scene on Friday to monitor the air quality in the area, air district spokesman Tom Flannigan said.
           
City officials are advising residents to remain aware of fire danger as the recent dry weather can create fire hazards, Costa-Batis said.
           
Residents are urged to check their smoke alarms to make sure they are working and to clear weeds away from their homes, she said.

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