MOUNTAIN VIEW — An appliance fire in a multifamily residence displaced five people due to water and smoke damage Saturday night, authorities said.
The fire, which was on the 2000 block of Latham Street, was called in to 911 just before 9:30 p.m., according to a press release from the Mountain View Fire Department.
The building’s residents evacuated themselves prior to the arrival of firefighters at 9:32 p.m., authorities said. When the firefighters arrived, they saw smoke coming from a condo on the second floor of a three-story building. Water was also flowing from two sprinkler heads.
Firefighters used thermal imaging to make sure that the fire did not spread, authorities said. The firefighters also shut off the sprinkler heads and carried out salvage operations to remove excess water from the building and prevent further property damage.
They were able to put out the fire with no injuries, firefighters said. While the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, firefighters found that it originated at the washer/dryer unit. The blaze caused an estimated $60,000 in damages.
The five displaced individuals — two adults from the unit that had the fire, and two adults and one minor from the unit on the floor below — were provided relocation assistance by the Red Cross. Some arranged to stay with neighbors and others were accommodated at a local hotel.
Firefighters also recharged the sprinkler system and checked that the fire alarm was functional before they left the scene, authorities added.
The Mountain View Police Department provided traffic control for an hour and a half while firefighters were on scene, authorities said.
The National Fire Protection Association advises regular washer/dryer maintenance and cleaning in order to prevent fires, authorities added, noting that the leading cause of dryer failure is lint. Other precautions include checking that the appliances are installed properly, are correctly vented and are not overloaded. Gas dryers should be given maintenance by a professional.