Two-Alarm Fire in Los Altos Hills

Santa Clara County and Palo Alto firefighters jointly fought a two-alarm fire in Los Altos Hills Tuesday afternoon, but it was not enough to save a two-story house that apparently had caught fire while its residents were out, a county fire battalion chief said.

The two-story home at 26890 Alejandro Drive, is near the Palo Alto border. Crews from both jurisdictions simultaneously responded to multiple neighbor-reported calls at about 11:30 a.m., triggering a "full-structure" response from both fire departments, said Battalion Chief Jim Young.

Even with two fire departments sending a full complement of rigs and personnel, the two-story 3,500-square foot house was "almost a total loss," Young said.

"It got a good head start," he said, observing that the fire was not reported until it got big enough for neighbors to see. "The top-floor was fully involved, extending into the first floor," about 75 percent, he added.

Residents of the home, who are not the owners, arrived while the fire was being fought. Young said they had found lodging for the night.

The Palo Alto battalion chief assumed control, as that department's units were first on the scene, he said. Palo Alto sent three engines, a truck, rescue unit and a battalion chief. Santa Clara County Fire sent three engines two rescue units, a hazmat unit, three battalion chiefs, an investigator and a safety officer.

The two departments train together because of the shared border and the terrain of the area makes it is sometimes hard to tell in which jurisdiction the fire is actually burning. Homes in the area is wooded, hilly area can be hard to find, Young said. The back end of the property in question is on Nina Place, and calls may have come in for that street, as well.

—Bay City News contributed to this report