Residents, firefighters hurt in Berkeley hills house fire

BERKELEY — Two residents were hospitalized and two firefighters suffered minor injuries Monday night during a two-alarm fire that destroyed a home in the Berkeley hills, authorities said.

The fire erupted about 6:50 p.m. Monday in the multi-level home in the 2900 block of Shasta Road near Sterling Avenue, fire officials said

Firefighters, who had to navigate winding, narrow roads to get to the fire, were met by flames shooting out of different parts of the home and quickly called a second alarm, authorities said.

The two residents — a woman and her adult son — were able to get out of the home on their own, authorities said. They sustained burns and smoke inhalation and were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Two firefighters suffered minor burns and were treated at the scene.

Nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution but firefighters kept the blaze from spreading.

Some power lines fell during the fire, but caused no injuries, authorities said..

The fire was declared under control about 8:36 p.m.

Deputy Fire Chief Keith May said Tuesday the cause of the fire was still under investigation. A damage figure was not available.