Foster City condo complex damaged by 6-alarm fire could collapse; had no fire sprinklers: officials
FOSTER CITY, Calif. (KGO) -- A day after a six-alarm fire heavily damaged a Foster City condominium complex, crews on Monday remain on Sea Spray Lane, putting out hotspots as they pop up.
More than 50 families are displaced.
"I was coming back from the church and there was already the fire," said resident Takako Nimmi.
She said she didn't even get a chance to get anything from her home on Sunday, even her beloved 18-year-old cat.
"I waited until 9 p.m. They rescued my cat."
After six hours, they were reunited. Nimmi says there are heroes in the movies. But the ones in real life, were the firefighters.
Four firefighters were injured with minor injuries including burns and smoke inhalation.
RELATED: Residents displaced, firefighters injured after massive fire at Foster City condo complex
Two were taken to the hospital, but have been released.
Seven residents had to be rescued from the third floor, but are all ok.
"It's a lot. I'm glad the people are out safely. I'm glad the firefighters are safe," said Bridget Michelsen who owns a condo in building.
Residents affected by the fire were left coping with the loss of their homes.
"I'm choked up," said displaced resident Keith Thompkins. "My mom's old, she almost died. Horrible but I'm alright."
Thompkins said he was not home when the fire started, but his mother and her caretaker were inside. Both escaped safely as the fire grew.
Lisa Shoulders, who lives a few units from where the fire started, said she left quickly and was concerned about items left behind.
"Our storage unit is close to the area that's involved in it," she said. "We have boxes of old family pictures and mementos."
Two cats missing from fire
Deleon said his family was out of town when the fire started and rushed back, only to find everything destroyed.
"I just want to let you guys know that these are the two cats that are still missing," he said. When asked their names, he replied: "Felix and Eloise."
Despite the uncertainty, he said the family remains focused on finding Felix and Eloise. "There's hope. We're hoping," he said.
For Noushin, the loss is difficult to process. "It's all collapsed. There's nothing left. Nothing left," she said.
Investigation into cause of fire
San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department Chief Matt Turturici told ABC7's Dryden Quigley, the main goal now is figure out what started the fire while keeping investigators safe.
He said his biggest concern was the building collapsing, and that's why people in neighboring units are displaced, too.
"You're going to see an increase in smoke production out here. And that's just going to be natural as the humidity, you know, starts to fall and it gets a little bit warmer," said Fire Chief Turturici.
Fire officials confirmed the building did not have sprinklers.
The ABC7 Eyewitness data team learned the building was built in 1981 before sprinklers were legally required.
Residents are trying to stay positive.
"I lost the, you know, my, property, but... my cat to me, is the most important.," said Nimmi.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
