Massive fire engulfs Hidden Valley homes
She jumped out of her vehicle, told neighbours to call 911, and sprinted into her home.
“I grabbed my dog, and ran out of there, and got out. It was terrifying,” she said.
A large house fire in Hidden Valley on Monday evening affected Gambeta’s abode and destroyed at least one home on her block.
Fire department spokeswoman Carol Henke said a total of four homes were impacted by the two-alarm fire. It’s not yet clear how many were destroyed.
Crews received multiple 911 calls to the scene in the 10700 block of Hidden Valley Drive N.W. around 5 p.m.
“Immediately a second alarm was called due to volume of flames and smoke visible,” Henke said.
Fire crews were called to a blaze in the 10700 block of Hidden Valley Drive N.W. around 5 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2015. The two-alarm fire affected four homes.
By 6:30 p.m., the blaze was under control, but firefighters were still not able to enter the home where the fire started because of the fire’s intensity.
“The source home where the fire started, it went into flashover,” Henke said.
“What that means is everything in the room bursts into flames. It reaches its ignition temperature, which is a very, very dangerous situation for firefighters,” she said.
The home where the fire began suffered the most severe damage, and fire officials said the two homes to the east of that home were also “significantly damaged.”
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
Six children and two adults were evacuated from the home next door to where the fire started.
Impacted homeowners and their neighbours sat on front lawns and watched fire crews fight the blaze on Monday evening.
Neighbour Jaron Whelan, who lives behind the affected homes, said he was working in his garage with his father when the pair heard a “large boom.”
“We looked across the back alley and the whole rooftop was up in flames … In two seconds, the whole house was engulfed,” he said.
Gallery: Hidden Valley Fire
4 homes were damaged in a large 2 alarm fire in Hidden Valley late Monday Afternoon
Gambeta said it appeared her corner home had the least amount of damage out of the four houses.
Neighbours said a dayhome operated in one of the homes, and another housed a family in the basement and other tenants above.
Fire crews remained on scene late Monday evening to douse hot spots.
A fire investigator and police arson investigators were also on scene.
Many hugs were exchanged and tears were wiped away as neighbours surveyed the damage.
“We’re all very distraught,” Gambeta said.
“I don’t know if it’s hit me yet. I’ve never been through anything like this in my life.”
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