Huge flames surround Sunnyvale gas station

SUNNYVALE, Calif. (KTVU) - Sunnyvale fire crews had to work fast on Wednesday morning to prevent a huge fire from spreading to a gas station and several nearby homes.

According to Capt. Craig Anderson of the Sunnyvale Department of Safety, the fire was first reported around 1:15a.m. near the intersection of Lakehaven Drive & Lawrence Expressway.

The blaze exploded as a large tree burned right next to the Valero gas station on Lakehaven Drive.

The flames were shooting high into the sky, sending burning embers all over the neighborhood.

Capt. Anderson said firefighters were incredibly worried about the fire spreading to the gas station and several nearby homes, but were able to contain the blaze.

The fire damaged two vehicles, a car and a U-Haul truck, that were both parked next to the tree and in the parking lot of the gas station.

Fire investigators say it's not clear if the vehicles sparked the fire.

The cause remains under investigation.