Garage fire forces out residents

A garage fire in a Costa Mesa neighborhood forced an entire apartment complex to empty as firefighters fought to extinguish the 20-foot flames.

About 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, firefighters were called to a Costa Mesa apartment complex at 291 Avocado St. to extinguish a blaze that ignited at the rear of the complex.

Police blocked off both sides of the street as up to three engines full of firefighters rushed to the unattached garage and knocked down the flames while cutting a hole in the roof.

Authorities said the garage appeared to have been converted into a living space. By the time the flames were out, the inside was completely charred black and soaked everywhere with water.

A window had been broken and the fire’s damage appeared to have reached the side of the main building, which was slightly darkened from the heat and smoke.

No one was injured during the incident, and investigators continue to look into the cause of the blaze.

— Joseph Serna