Dog killed in overnight San Mateo condo fire

SAN MATEO, Calif. (KTVU) - Authorities were searching Friday for the cause of a fire that raced through a San Mateo County condo complex, causing heavy damage to several units and killing a dog in one of the units.

At least five residents were forced out of their homes because of damage to their units, authorities said. Neighbors smelled smoke and called firefighters to the complex in the 2300 block of Ticonderoga Drive around 10:45 p.m. Thursday night.

When crews arrived at the complex, which is between Highway 92 and Ralston Avenue, flames had spread to the roof.

The fire eventually went to four alarms, as firefighters called in additional crews, to help cut and remove roofing material to fully extinguish the fire.

"They were able to extinguish the main condominium fire, but the fire has been burning up in the attic space," said Fire Chief John Healy, Belmont, Foster City, San Mateo Fire. "Made up of this foam insulation -- styrofoam insulation -- there's two layers of this, also plywood."

The fire spread to several neighboring condos. Authorities said the resident in the condo where the fire started was not home at the time.

There were no serious injuries other than the dog that perished. Chief Healy said the Humane Society was called to help remove the dog's remains. 

KTVU reporter Janine De la Vega contributed to this report.