Published on April 25, 2019

Fire Sprinkler and a Phone Call saves local eating establishment in Menlo Park

Menlo Park Fire Protection District - Thursday, April 25, 2019, at 4.39 am, Management Team members  at Coffee Peet’s Shop located in the Safeway Shopping Complex at 515 El Camino Real in Menlo Park contacted San Mateo County Public Safety Communications Dispatch Center to report that they had smelled smoke and gas fumes coming from the Rubio’s Coastal Grill next door.

Captain Ken Babcock and the crew of Menlo Fire Engine 6 arrived on-scene at 4.45 am and found the Rubio’s restaurant full of white smoke. Captain Babcock requested a full first alarm structure fire response which brought in 5 Fire Engines, 1 Aerial Ladder Truck and two Battalion Chiefs with 21 total personnel. The Fire Crew of Engine 6 then gained access to the restaurant and found what was left of a smoldering and melted garbage can that had been on fire but was successfully held in check by a single activated sprinkler head.

Firefighters checked for hidden fire in both the walls and the common attic space above the store and found none. A nearby floor drain and all tile floor assisted with a relatively quick clean up once the Sprinkler System was shut down. Firefighters used a water vacuum, squeegees and mops to remove all of the remaining standing water and a fan blower to dissipate and evacuate the remaining smoke. The incident was brought under control by 5 am.

Fire Investigators working with Rubio’s staff members, used interior surveillance camera footage to assist with their investigation. Fire Marshal Jon Johnston said “we can see smoke start to come from the garbage can at 2 am and then catch on fire just after 4.30 am. It is then primarily extinguished by the activated sprinkler head. We believe the cause is spontaneous combustion from discarded towels that had been used to clean-up grease and oils in the kitchen which were then discarded into the trash can”. Fire Investigators were perplexed that the water flow from the sprinkler system did not activate a local and monitored alarm system. Investigators left the scene at 8.39 am and turned the business over to the owners whose goal it was to get the restaurant back open as quickly as possible.

Fire Chief Schapelhouman said “The sprinkler water suppression system, quick action of the Peet’s employees in calling 9-11 and Fire Crews that minimized further damage, saved the day today insuring that this business will be back up and serving the community in days, not months, as we have experienced in other commercial business fires in this area. In downtown Menlo Park, half of the older buildings are still not equipped with Fire Suppression Systems and are extremely vulnerable to fires and rapid fire spread”.

Pictured below – Rubio’s Coastal Grill saved from fire Thursday morning - Credit Menlo Fire Engine 6

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