8 Displaced As Fire Rips Through Peninsula Apartment, Officials Say

BELMONT, CA – Eight Peninsula residents were displaced from their homes this week as a fire broke out at an apartment complex in Belmont, officials say.

According to Belmont Police Capt. Patrick Halleran, the blaze was first reported around 8:45 a.m. Tuesday in the 1100 block of Village Drive.

"Upon arrival, first responders found smoke and flames coming from a second floor apartment at the rear of the building," Halleran said in a news release. "The residents had been alerted by smoke alarms and had evacuated prior to the arrival of firefighters."

Belmont firefighters, who were assisted by the San Mateo and Foster City Fire Departments, had the fire out in about 30 minutes, according to Halleran. However, two units at the complex were damaged.

"Two apartments were damaged in the fire, the unit where the fire occurred sustained fire and water damage and the unit above it sustained smoke damage," he said.

It's not yet clear how the fire started, but a 65-year-old resident of the apartment where the fire broke out told officials that she found the fire in the kitchen. The woman was getting ready to take a shower when she was alerted to the incident thanks to her smoke alarm, Halleran said.

"The woman, who lives with her adult son and his girlfriend as well as the family of 5, from the apartment above them, were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the Red Cross," he said.

Damages are estimated at $200,000.

Images credit Belmont Fire Department