Seven people left homeless after two-alarm fire in Salinas

A two-alarm fire left seven people homeless after it damaged four units at the Northgate Village condominium complex on Cherokee Drive Friday morning.

Officials say the fire started in the kitchen of a first floor unit, but discovered it had spread to the second floor and a neighboring unit after putting out the original flames.

From there, firefighters called in a second alarm and brought in seven more engines and a couple dozen firefighters. They were able to control the fire within 30 minutes.

According to firefighters, three of the four units are uninhabitable – two with fire damage, one with water damage. Residents of the fourth unit were able to move back in despite some smoke damage.

Nobody was injured, but the Red Cross, paramedics, and police were at the scene helping the seven displaced residents – five adults and two children.

Firefighters say the units can be repaired.