At 8:42 AM on July 30, 2018, the Monterey Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 428 Dela Vina Avenue in Monterey. Units arriving on scene found smoke coming from an apartment at 486 Casa Verde Way. All occupants had safely evacuated the involved apartment prior to the fire department’s arrival. The fire was confined within a shared wall between two apartments on the second floor.
Monterey Fire responded with three engine companies, one truck company, and a Division Chief. The Seaside Fire Department sent an engine company on automatic aid. Fire personnel were able to extinguish the fire and ensure all occupants were out of the adjacent apartments within 15 minutes. The fire was caused by a plumber doing some soldering work on pipes in the wall. People from four apartment units were displaced and received assistance from the American Red Cross.
The Monterey Fire Department would like to remind people to be cautious when working with open flame devices. When using such devices always check for possible ignition of structural components and have a fire extinguisher close at hand. Immediately call 9-1-1 if material gets ignited.
