January 12, 2024
Fire Contact: Erica Ray, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Information Specialist
Phone: 408-341-4444
Email: publicinfo@sccfd.org
City Contact: Sonia Lee, City of Los Altos, Public Information Officer
Phone: 650- 947-2611
Email: slee@losaltosca.gov
Update on demolition plans for 4600 El Camino Real
Santa Clara County Fire Department (County Fire) continues to collaborate with the City of Los Altos, California Department of Transportation, and business and property owners of 4600 El Camino Real.
Demolition plans have been postponed until further notice. All parties are committed to providing advanced notice to allow time for media outlets to plan for coverage of the dismantling.
Questions can be referred to the contacts listed above.
January 9, 2024
Fire Contact: Erica Ray, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Information Specialist
Phone: 408-341-4444
Email: publicinfo@sccfd.org
City of Los Altos Contact: Sonia Lee, City of Los Altos, Public Information Officer
Phone: 650- 947-2611
Email: slee@losaltosca.gov
Fire investigation update for the Christmas Day Los Altos commercial structure fire
Santa Clara County Fire Department (County Fire) arson investigators immediately began their investigative process following the 3-alarm fire at 4600 El Camino Real in Los Altos on December 25, 2023.
Fire investigators continue to work in collaboration with the City of Los Altos Building Division and several private insurance agencies to complete a thorough fire investigation that meets the needs of all parties. Due to fire damage, the building has been declared unsafe and at risk of collapse. As a result, eastbound El Camino Real between San Antonio Road and Sherwood Avenue has remained closed and fire investigators have not been able to access the interior of the building to safely complete the investigative process.
The City of Los Altos has approved the partial demolition of the front part of the building nearest El Camino Real to proceed. This will allow the fire investigation to continue and provide for the safe reopening of the closed segment of El Camino Real. Demolition is anticipated to begin on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. The demolition process will be completed systematically to preserve the integrity of the site as much as possible as the investigative process continues.
A portion, if not all the closed section of El Camino Real, is anticipated to reopen as early as Thursday, January 11, 2024. As additional newsworthy updates become available, County Fire will continue to share more information.
Questions can be referred to County Fire’s Information and Public Affairs Office at 408-341-4444 or publicinfo@sccfd.org.
January 2, 2024
Contact: Erica Ray, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Information Specialist
Phone: 408-341-4444
Email: publicinfo@sccfd.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fire investigation to determine cause of Christmas Day fire in Los Altos ongoing
On Monday, December 25, 2023, at approximately 4:50 a.m., Santa Clara County Fire Department (County Fire) responded to reports of smoke coming from a commercial structure located at 4600 El Camino Real in Los Altos. A full first structure fire response was immediately dispatched, consisting of three fire engines, one fire truck, one rescue company, one hazardous materials unit, one breathing support unit, two battalion chiefs, and one incident support/safety officer. Included in this initial dispatch was one fire engine from Mountain View Fire Department with the rest of the resources consisting of County Fire personnel.
Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the first floor of a two-story, 20,000 square foot commercial building. As the fire progressed, a second alarm was called at 5:10 a.m. consisting of an additional two fire engines, one fire truck, one rescue company, and one battalion chief. Firefighters initially began with an aggressive offensive interior fire attack, entering the building to both fight the fire and confirm there were no individuals inside in need of rescue.
A third alarm was called at 5:22 a.m. with Mountain View Fire Department and Palo Alto Fire Department sending resources to fulfill the balance of the response. Once fire extended to the roof of the structure, firefighters were pulled from the interior of the building due to the risk of the roof collapsing. The firefight continued from the exterior of the building until it was declared under control at 1:53 p.m.
In total, there were approximately 60 first responders on the firegrounds at the height of the incident. Thankfully, there were no injuries to civilians or first responders.
Due to the continued risk of the building collapsing, eastbound El Camino Real between San Antonio Road and Sherwood Avenue will remain closed at the direction of the City of Los Altos Building Division, until the building owner can arrange for it to be demolished.
As of this morning, the fire investigation is ongoing. County Fire is working with the City of Los Altos, building owner, tenants, and insurance companies to ensure a safe and thorough investigation. Our team is working diligently to determine the cause of the fire while prioritizing public safety and the coordination necessary with external partners for the safe and expeditious reopening of eastbound El Camino Real. Updates will continue to be released as they become available.
Questions can be referred to County Fire’s Information and Public Affairs Office at 408-341-4444 or publicinfo@sccfd.org.
Santa Clara County Fire Department is hiring entry-level Firefighter/Engineers! Join us for a live webinar to learn more about our Department, our Firefighter/Engineer hiring process, and minimum qualifications for the position. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions of our current firefighters.
JOIN US
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 – 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Zoom: http://qrs.ly/ktf5rdr (password: SCCFD)
Phone: 669-444-9171 (meeting ID: 899 3470 2645)
We hope to see you there!
