Redwood City, California – A massive fire engulfed a building under construction, prompting evacuations in Redwood City on Monday. The fire, which started at 10:15 a.m. on the 2700 block of Middlefield Road, took more than five hours for firefighters to contain, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. Officials confirmed that the blaze was confined to the originating structure, with no reported injuries.
Due to the ongoing fire, an air quality advisory was issued as smoke was expected to be carried across the peninsula and into San Jose. Aerial footage from NBC Bay Area’s SkyRanger revealed the extent of the damage, showing the construction site completely gutted by the flames. The fire, which prompted an eight-alarm response, proved to be challenging to extinguish due to the building’s incomplete construction.
Evacuations were ordered for residents between Pacific Avenue and Calvin Avenue, with later extensions to include those living on Dumbarton Avenue. Close to 200 individuals were evacuated, including approximately 100 construction workers who self-evacuated from the building. As the situation gradually stabilized, some evacuees were given permission to return to their homes.
A significant setback to the community, the fire destroyed an affordable housing structure that was vital to the area’s growth, according to San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa. The building, intended to offer 179 affordable housing units upon completion, was part of a $155 million project expected to finish by the first quarter of 2025. Caltrain services in Redwood City were temporarily suspended as firefighters battled the intense blaze.
As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, residents affected by the incident were directed to evacuation centers set up at various locations. The North Fair Oaks Library, Fair Oaks Community Center, and Veterans Memorial Senior Center were among the facilities providing services to those impacted, with varying hours of operation. In light of the fire, classes at Garfield Community School were dismissed for the day, prompting parents to collect their children for safety reasons.