A two-alarm stove top fire in El Sobrante displaced about 15 people early Tuesday morning, and a fast-thinking neighbor helped save a woman and two kids.
Contra Costa County Fire Marshal Robert Marshall said the fire broke out about 3:30 a.m. in the 300 block of Joan Vista Street. Four of five apartments were destroyed.
About half an hour later, a red Chrysler drove into a nearby fire hydrant on Rincon Road at Burgess Way, which was unrelated but cause some headaches for the crews trying to put out the fire.
Marshall said the fire was pinpointed to the kitchen area after the stove was accidentally left on.
No injuries were reported except for a woman who suffered some smoke inhalation.
Evan Francis saw flames everywhere and grabbed a neighbor’s cell phone to dial 911.
"I rushed out there barefoot," he said. "“I was just glad to be there."
