Underground utility box catches fire, threatens home in Salinas

When Salinas firefighters got the call at 2 a.m. Saturday, they thought they were en route to a vegetation fire. When that vegetation fire spread to two cars and threatened a home they changed tactics. Instead of utilizing their wild land crew and equipment, they upgraded by bringing in four engines, a ladder truck and a battalion chief.

When firefighters arrived at 1701 Burlington Drive in Salinas the two cars were engulfed in flames, Battalion Chief Herb Shoemaker said.

Everyone inside the home evacuated and no one was hurt as firefighters put out the fire quickly, Shoemaker said.

Firefighters determined the source of the fire came from an underground utility vault used to power nearby homes. The home was not damaged, as crews were able to stop the spread of the fire, Shoemaker said.

The cars are totaled but the people who live in the home were able to go back inside after the fire was out, Shoemaker said.

The cause is still under investigation. Despite witnesses reporting possible fireworks in the area, Shoemaker said there is no evidence to suggest fireworks were involved.