MV & PA Fire Crews Battle Home Blaze on Bryant Street Saturday Afternoon

A three-alarm fire Saturday afternoon destroyed one Palo Alto home and damaged another at Bryant Street and North California Avenue, according to the Palo Alto Fire Department.

The PAFD, with assistance from the Mountain View Fire Department, was dispatched at 11:57 a.m. to a reported dryer fire at 2257 Bryant Street.  

The teenage daughter of the homeowner and a friend were at the house when they smelled smoke.  The daughter went to investigate and found smoke and flames in the laundry room. They quickly exited the home and dialed 911. 

Palo Alto Fire Department Engines 62, 63, 64, 66 Truck 66, Medic 62 and Battalion 66 responded to the scene. 

Upon arrival, the kitchen and a majority of the first floor of the home were fully involved with fire.  Engine crews made entry through the kitchen, officials said.  

They knocked down the fire on the first floor, but the second floor was already involved.  When the truck crew cut a ventilation hole in the roof to release hot smoke and gases, they discovered that the attic was also filled with fire. 

Second and third alarms from Santa Clara County Fire and Mountain View Fire were called to assist. The attic fire was persistent as void spaces and hard to access areas made it difficult to reach the flames, officials said. 

As crews worked to contain the fire, embers blew across the fence and caught fire on the neighbor’s shake roof at 2277 Bryant Street.  

Crews escorted a woman and her two dogs to safety as firefighters worked to contain the fire in the second home. The fire was quickly extinguished, keeping the damage minimal and limited to the roof. 

Thanks to the quick actions of the daughter and her friend everyone made it out safely and no injuries were reported.  

The house at 2257 Bryant Street is not inhabitable, according to fire crews.  

The second home at 2277 Bryant Street sustained minor damage, but is livable.

 A thorough investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the fire.