Microwave Culprit in Atherton House Fire

By Bay City News Service

A structure fire caused by a microwave in a home just outside of Atherton caused an estimated $50,000 in damage Saturday, Menlo Park Fire Protection District officials said.

A resident in the single-story, single-family 1960s-era home at 2000 Stockbridge Ave. called at 10:42 a.m. Saturday to report that a microwave in the kitchen was on fire, according to fire officials.

Firefighters found smoke coming from the front door that was visible in windows and called for additional support.

The fire was knocked down shortly before 11 a.m. with no injuries reported, fire officials said. Damage was estimated at around $50,000 to the 1,600-square-foot structure and its contents.

The fire started with the microwave, but the exact cause remains under investigation. The resident told investigators it had last been used about five hours before the fire began.