An explosion alerted residents to a shed fire in a backyard of an Atherton residence the morning of Wednesday, May 3, reported Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Harold Schapelhouman.
“We’re not completely sure what caused the explosion, but it may have actually been helpful to the discovery of the fire,” Schapelhouman said in a May 4 press release. “Most people are sleeping this early in the morning, and Atherton properties tend to be very large, which can often delay early discovery.”
Then, on Tuesday, Fire Marshal Jon Johnston said that “The explosion would have been a result of the fire as it pressurized the water storage tank.”
Fire Captain Roy Trester, on Menlo Engine 5, arrived at the fire on Holbrook Lane at 3.53 a.m., finding a “well-involved detached shed fire that was located behind the home’s garage,” said Schapelhouman. The 10×12-foot building was burning freely with fire starting to extend to a fence.
Five fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue company and two battalion chiefs — 23 personnel — turned out for the first alarm structure fire response.
The crew of Engine 5 knocked down the small building and fence fire by 4 a.m. and the incident was deemed “under control,” allowing Battalion Chief Dan Coyle to release most of the other fire units and call for fire investigators by 4:16 a.m.
Fire investigators Chris Pentony and David Perrone agreed that the fire appeared to be accidental in nature, possibly due to electrical wiring that was used to power a pump needed as part of a well-water system.
After conferring with the home owner, investigators estimated the fire loss at $6,000 for the replacement of the shed and portions of a fence, Schapelhouman said.
