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4 firefighters injured in 6-alarm Calif. apartment fire

Two firefighters were hospitalized with minor injuries as crews spent the night extinguishing hot spots and protecting nearby units

By Robert Salonga
Bay Area News Group

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — A massive six-alarm fire that erupted at an apartment complex Sunday afternoon injured four firefighters and forced dozens out of their homes, and crews were still mopping up the remnants of blaze on Monday morning.

The fire was first reported around 2:30 p.m. at a complex at 815 Sea Spray Lane , according to Foster City police and the San Mateo County Consolidated Fire Department . Affected residents were safely and swiftly evacuated as a huge contingent of firefighters were dispatched, in part because of the safety and displacement risks given the density of the complex.

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During the front-line firefighting effort, four firefighters suffered minor injuries, at least one from burns and at least two from smoke inhalation, according to the fire department. Two of them were taken to a hospital, but none of the firefighters’ injuries were deemed serious and all are expected to recover.

Around 7 p.m. firefighters pivoted to a fully exterior defensive position against the blaze, focusing on preventing the fire from spreading to other apartment units, the fire department said.

Crews were extinguishing hot spots overnight into Monday morning, the fire department said, adding that it expects personnel to be on scene for the rest of the day. The department also confirmed that while some residents were medically evaluated, no resident injuries occurred.

A cause for the fire remains under investigation. The American Red Cross is offering housing assistance to displaced residents, which according to the Foster City Chamber of Commerce entails at least 50 households.

The chamber, which has launched a GoFundMe fundraising page to help those affected by the fire, said that in addition to losing their housing and belongings, displaced residents also lost access to their vehicles since they were parked underneath the complex.

“Foster City has always been a community that comes together in times of need. Today, our neighbors need us,” reads a statement on the page authored by chamber CEO Crystal Tilton . “Together, we can help these families take the first steps toward rebuilding.”

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