Homeowner Suffers Minor Burns Escaping Fire At Martinez House

A homeowner suffered minor burns as he escaped a fire in his Martinez home that destroyed his garage and part of his attic, a Contra Costa County fire marshal said.

The one-alarm fire in the 700 block of Ulfinian Way was reported at 1:10 p.m., according to a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District dispatcher.

Arriving crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the garage side of the single-family home, fire Marshal Robert Marshall said. The homeowner and a hired maid were upstairs when the fire broke out.

The homeowner heard popping noises coming from downstairs and when he went to investigate, he found the garage already burning, Marshall said.

He suffered minor burns before he escaped the house, but did not require hospitalization.

Firefighters controlled the blaze by 1:46 p.m., according to a fire dispatcher. The fire destroyed the garage, part of the home’s attic, and the sheet rock below the attic, Marshall said.

A wooden deck above the garage was destroyed as well. Marshall estimated the damage was $50,000 to the home itself and $40,000 to possessions inside, including a BMW in the garage. The fire may have started in the BMW and appears to be accidental, Marshall said.

--Bay City News

--Image via Shutterstock

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