El Cerrito Firefighters Help Knock Down Hercules House Fire Sunday Night

Firefighters knocked down a garage fire in Hercules on Sunday night before it had the chance to spread, a fire battalion chief said today.

Firefighters responded to a report of a fire at 11:27 p.m. Sunday at a three-story townhouse with an attached rear garage at 1369 Sycamore Ave., Pinole Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Akre said. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke emanating from the front door of the home.

Two residents had already evacuated and told firefighters the smoke was coming from the garage. Engine crews located the blaze, which Akre said was partially contained by a residential sprinkler system.

Crews were able to extinguish the fire, which Akre said was caused by improper disposal of smoking materials, and cleared the scene by 12:20 a.m., the battalion chief said. No other homes were damaged in the fire and no injuries were reported. Initial estimates indicated the blaze caused $5,000 in damage. The residents were able to return to their home after fire crews cleared the scene.

“It’s a testament to the residential sprinkler system as well as the quick response by the fire department and public safety officials,” Akre said.

Rodeo-Hercules, Pinole, Contra Costa County, El Cerrito and Crockett-Carquinez firefighters responded to the blaze.

—By Bay City News

Photo via Shutterstock.