3 Youths playing with fire was cited as the cause of a vegetation fire Wednesday afternoon that destroyed a house and an estimated 15 vehicles and some other equipment in the 100 block of Cambark Court in Martinez, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said.
The fire was reported shortly before 2 p.m. and was quickly elevated to two alarms. It was brought under control and confined to the house and a surrounding storage lot about two hours later. The cause is under investigation.
"Due to a rapid and aggressive response about 12 neighboring structures were protected," said fire district Capt. George Laing.
District investigators determined that the fire started in a backyard on Arthur Road, where three youths had been "playing with fire, that got out of hand in current conditions." "
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There was a big column of black smoke that visible quite a way away," Laing said.
The two-alarm blaze on Cambark Court also destroyed sheds and other items that were on the property, Steve Hill with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said. No one was injured, but three residents were displaced.
Firefighters managed to keep the flames from spreading to nearby residences, Hill said.
A small grass fire that broke out was contained quickly, according to Hill.
