Complex evacuated after string of fires erupts
HAYWARD, Calif. (KTVU & Wires) - A Hayward apartment complex was evacuated early Monday morning when three separate and suspicious fires broke out in common areas of the building, a fire battalion chief said.
The fires at the Courtyard Apartments at 24050 Silva Ave. were reported at about 3:30 a.m., Hayward Fire Battalion Chief Mark DeDomenico said.
One fire was in a third-floor laundry room while the other two were in separate stairwells, DeDomenico said.
About 125 residents of the complex were evacuated while firefighters worked to put out the fires and searched for any others. The fires were quickly contained to the laundry room and stairwells, DeDomenico said.
Gas and power service had to be shut off for four or five units near the fires. The residents of those apartments remained unable to return to their apartments this afternoon.
Two residents were evaluated for smoke inhalation but were not taken to the hospital, DeDomenico said.
Three fires breaking out in separate areas at about the same time raises suspicions that they may have been set intentionally. Hayward fire and police investigators are looking into how the fires started, DeDomenico said.
No firefighters were injured while fighting the blazes.