Firefighters battled a large blaze that quickly escalated to a six-alarm response at a condominium complex in Foster City, California, on Sunday afternoon, injuring several firefighters — including one who called "mayday" after losing contact with his partner inside the burning building.
How the Fire Started and Escalated
San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department units were dispatched to the Spinnaker Cove condominium complex at 815 Sea Spray Lane just after 2:30 p.m. following reports of a fire. Fire Chief Matt Turturici said responding crews found flames on the first and second floors of the building. The blaze escalated rapidly — reaching a four-alarm designation within the first hour and a full six-alarm response by 4 p.m. — mobilizing units from across San Mateo Consolidated Fire's nine stations in Foster City, Belmont, and San Mateo, along with mutual aid from neighboring agencies.
A Firefighter Mayday
Just before 3 p.m., two firefighters working on the building's third floor reported being briefly overcome by flames and lost contact with one another, prompting one to activate a distress "mayday" call — a signal that immediately triggers additional emergency resources to the scene. "When I hear a Mayday, it's tough," Turturici said. "Firefighter was down." Both firefighters were located and found safe shortly after.
The Injuries
Officials said three to four firefighters suffered injuries during the response, according to varying counts from different agencies as the incident unfolded: two were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, and one or two others sustained burns. At least two of the injured firefighters were transported to a local hospital for further treatment. No residents were reported injured.
Resident Rescues
The fire department received numerous calls reporting people trapped inside the building, and crews carried out rescues of several residents from third-story windows. The Foster City Police Department confirmed the entire building was successfully evacuated, including residents' pets, with no civilian injuries reported. The Red Cross was called to the complex's clubhouse to assist displaced residents.
Impact on the Surrounding Area
Police advised residents in the surrounding area to stay clear of the scene and close their windows due to heavy smoke, and warned anyone experiencing symptoms from smoke exposure to seek medical attention. Road closures were put in place near the Foster City waterfront, off East Hillsdale Boulevard, affecting traffic in the SFO corridor area through the evening.
What's Next
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. With the blaze brought under control after the extended six-alarm response, officials are expected to provide further updates on the investigation's findings and the recovery status of the injured firefighters in the coming days.