Belmont Family Displaced In Fire

BELMONT, CA — A Belmont family was displaced Wednesday after a fire ripped through their home, the Belmont Police Department reports. The blaze broke out in the residence along Covington Road, near Alameda de las Pulgas and Ralston Avenue, around 2:30 p.m., according to police.

A neighbor is credited with spotting the fire and calling 911. At least five engines responded to the scene, according to the Pulse Point application.

"Units from the Belmont Police Department, San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department and Redwood City Fire Department arrived within minutes and found heavy smoke coming from the residence," Belmont Police Capt. Patrick Halleran said in a news release. "While initial reports indicated that an elderly woman may be inside, a thorough search by firefighters found no one at home."

Police said the fire was out within approximately 15 minutes. An image from the scene shows that crews had to cut their way into the home, which appeared to have extensive smoke damage.

No one was hurt in the fire.

"The family's dog, a chihuahua, was found in the backyard unharmed," Halleran added.

The home's residents returned home shortly after crews doused the blaze, but the structure was "deemed uninhabitable due to the fire," according to Halleran. The American Red Cross was assisting the family.

Due to the fire, Covington Road was temporarily closed between Alameda de las Pulgas and Pullman, police said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.