California: $155M Redwood City Housing Project Destroyed by 8-Alarm Massive Fire

California Fire Investigators are working diligently to determine the cause of an eight-alarm fire that engulfed a large affordable Redwood City housing project construction on Monday.

The blaze, described as the area's largest in recent history by Fire Marshal John Johnston of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, razed the 109-unit Middlefield Junction development on 2700 Middlefield Road.

The project, a decade in the making and costing $155 million in taxpayer dollars, aimed to address critical housing needs in San Mateo County, Kron4 reports.

It was financed under the California Housing Accelerator Fund and was set to include a childcare facility and community spaces alongside residential units.

The fire, which began on the fifth floor where construction activities were underway, quickly spread throughout the open-framed building, reducing it to a "total loss," according to San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus.

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the roughly 130 workers on-site at the time of the fire, nor among the residents of nearby evacuated homes.

Investigators are now focusing on whether the fire was accidental or caused intentionally, though Johnston emphasized there is currently no evidence of foul play.

The extensive damage has necessitated the removal of hazardous scaffolding and ongoing efforts to secure the site.

Developer and Community Response

Scott Smith, CEO of Roberts-Obayashi Corp., expressed profound dismay at the loss, calling it the worst disaster in the company's 92-year history.

The Redwood City housing project, overseen by Mercy Housing, aimed to provide much-needed affordable housing options, including rare three-bedroom units.

San Mateo County, California Supervisor President Warren Slocum, who has been involved in the project for a decade, vowed to rebuild despite the setback, according to Fox KTVU.

He underscored the importance of the development in addressing local housing challenges and reiterated the commitment to completing the project.

Plans to reconstruct Middlefield Junction are contingent upon the outcome of the investigation and insurance processes.

While the community remains hopeful for a swift recovery, the scale of the damage and the need to ensure safety will influence the timeline for rebuilding efforts.

Community Impact and Funding Details

The Redwood City housing project disaster's impact extended beyond the construction site, impacting residents in the vicinity and generating a smoke cloud visible throughout the South Bay region.

The project, funded through a combination of state grants and local resources, was a significant investment aimed at supporting low-income households and providing essential community amenities, the Independent noted.

San Mateo County officials emphasized the project's role in creating local jobs and enhancing neighborhood vitality, highlighting its inclusion of units specifically designated for homeless individuals receiving supportive services.

The destruction of the Middlefield Junction project represents a major setback for affordable housing efforts in San Mateo County, California.

As investigators continue their work to uncover the cause of the fire, local leaders and developers are committed to moving forward with initiatives to reconstruct and rejuvenate, underscoring the project's critical importance in meeting the region's housing needs.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Firefighters investigating what caused Redwood City's 8-alarm inferno - From KRON 4