A massive six-alarm fire at a Foster City condominium complex Sunday afternoon injured four firefighters and displaced dozens of families, with crews remaining on scene through Monday to contain hot spots in the severely damaged structure.

Emergency Response and Firefighter Injuries

The blaze erupted around 2:30 p.m. at Spinnaker Cove, located at 815 Sea Spray Lane, quickly escalating to a six-alarm emergency. A Mayday call went out when a firefighter became trapped inside the burning building, prompting multiple agencies to rush to the scene. The trapped firefighter was part of a truck company conducting third-floor searches without hose line protection to expedite resident evacuations. Four firefighters sustained minor injuries, primarily from smoke inhalation, with two requiring hospitalization before being released.

Chief Matt Turturici of the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department described the harrowing moment. “When I hear a Mayday, it’s tough,” he said. “Firefighter was down. We were able to find the firefighter. They were overcome.” The crew had been racing against time to remove residents from danger zones when the firefighter became overwhelmed by smoke conditions.

Dramatic Rescues and Resident Evacuations

Flames tore through all three floors of one building in the complex, forcing firefighters to conduct numerous ladder rescues from third-floor units. Foster City Police confirmed all residents evacuated safely with no civilian injuries reported. Crews executed multiple rescues down stairwells as fire consumed the structure. Keith Tompkins experienced terrifying moments when his mother and her caregiver became trapped inside their unit. “I raced over here tried to get up inside, climbed up over the balcony but it was too hot,” Tompkins recounted. “I thought she was dead, I thought she was gone.” The caregiver’s quick thinking saved his mother, rushing her out before conditions worsened.

Extensive Damage and Community Impact

Chief Turturici classified the incident as an “extended incident” due to severe structural damage preventing firefighters from safely accessing interior hot spots. Multiple units across all three floors sustained destruction, leaving numerous families without homes. Red Cross personnel deployed to assist displaced residents with immediate needs including temporary shelter and essential supplies. The complex remained an active scene Monday as crews monitored for rekindling and worked to ensure the building posed no further danger to neighboring structures or personnel.