Kitchen Fire Damages Greenbrae Apartment

Residents at a Greenbrae apartment complex were evacuated Friday afternoon when Larkspur and San Rafael firefighters responded to a report of a kitchen fire.

Firefighters arrived at 388 Via Hidalgo and could see smoke coming from a downstairs apartment unit. The crew from Larkspur Engine 16 under Capt. Shurtz entered the smoke-filled apartment and found no one inside, according to a release from Larkspur Fire Chief Bob Sinnott.

The fire in the kitchen was quickly extinguished by crews using a small amount of water and a dry chemical fire extinguisher.

The fire did not spread to any other apartments. Fire damage was confined to the stove unit and the immediate area around the appliance, although the apartment was significantly damaged by smoke. Damage is estimated to be no more than $50,000. It appears the fire started in the oven or broiler of the stove.

Crews found a lack of fire sprinklers in the unit, which was built in the late 1940s.

The occupants of the damaged apartment are being temporarily relocated.  

San Rafael and Larkspur personnel were assisted by units from the Corte Madera Fire Department, the Kentfield Fire Department and the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority.