Redwood City Fire Crews Attempt To Save Man From Burning RV

NORTH FAIR OAKS, CA – A 52-year-old man died early Easter morning after his recreational vehicle caught fire in the North Fair Oaks neighborhood of Redwood City, according to fire officials. Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman said both Menlo Park and Redwood City firefighters responded to the 3100 block of Park Road just before 6 a.m. on reports of "smoke coming from a garage."

Upon arrival, firefighters found that the smoke was coming from an older RV parked next to the garage, according to fire officials. Crews had a difficult time first accessing the vehicle, due to a secured and fenced gateway. Then, they found the RV to be loaded with an "extreme amount of storage."

Once crews were able to make their way through the debris and heavy black smoke, they spotted a man who was unconscious and in full cardiac arrest, according to Schapelhouman.

"Menlo Truck One personnel used a circular metal cutting saw to create a large hole in the side, or skin, of the RV to quickly gain access to the patient while paramedic fire personnel from Menlo Engine 3 performed CPR and advanced life saving techniques in an attempt to save the mans life," the chief said in a news release. "An AMR Paramedic Ambulance with Fire Paramedics from Engine 3 transported the patient to Stanford Hospital were he was later pronounced as deceased due to his injuries."

Menlo Park Fire investigators determined a "severely pinched" extension cord – damaged from constant use – was run for power through the driver's side door, which likely caused the fire.

The name of the victim has not yet been released.

PHOTO CREDIT: Menlo Fire Battalion 1 / Bay City News Service contributed to this report