Suspicious Fire Displaced 5

A suspicious one-alarm house fire displaced five residents in East Palo Alto Monday morning, according to fire officials.

The Menlo Park Fire Protection District received a report of a fire at 2811 Illinois St. from a neighbor, who could see flames coming from the property at about 3:10 a.m., according to fire officials. Upon arrival at the residence, firefighters reported that two vehicles and a single-story house were involved in the fire. The fire was knocked down within 20 minutes and caused about $100,000 in damage, according to fire officials.

Two vehicles and a garage area of the home converted into a bedroom were damaged in the fire. The rest of the house sustained minor smoke damage. The residents were sleeping at the time of the fire, but were escaped unharmed. Four adults and one child were displaced and were assisted by the American Red Cross, fire officials said.

Based on the preliminary investigation the fire was determined to have begun in a van located in the driveway, and spread to the second vehicle and the residence. The fire is being investigated as suspicious in nature, fire officials said.

Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.