Burglar Alarm Leads Crews To Fire In Dentist Office

A burglary alarm led firefighters to a small blaze at a dentist’s office near Capitola early Thursday morning, a Central Fire Protection District spokesman said.

A Santa Cruz County sheriff’s deputy discovered the fire while he responded to an activated burglary alarm in the 4100 block of Portola Drive, fire district spokesman Mike De Mars said. The deputy didn’t find anything that indicated someone forced their way inside or suspicious activity, but saw smoke coming out of an office window, DeMars said.

The deputy also checked on an office door and window, which were hot, and notified dispatch to report a possible structure fire, according to DeMars.

Firefighters responded to the scene around 2:15 a.m., made their way inside the office and in 20 minutes put out the blaze, which was found in a corner of an office, DeMars said. They also climbed up the roof to ventilate the building of smoke and gases, the spokesman said. The fire resulted in damage to an office, hallway and reception area, according to DeMars.

The fire started under one of two desks in the office and was considered an accident, possibly caused by electrical equipment left underneath, DeMars said.

--Bay City News