Fire burns luxury home in Alamo, fire crews save nearby homes

ALAMO, Calif. (KGO) -- Firefighters battled a one-alarm fire that destroyed a luxury home in Alamo, near Crest and Hillgrade Avenue. The flames broke out just before 1:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The woman living inside had to escape, running for her life through the back of the house with just her robe on and some pajamas.

"She said she was awakened by sound of the smoke detector and smelled smoke," explained Battalion Chief Keith Cornier, with the Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

Firefighters saved the garage and the cars inside, but not much else in the 4,000 square foot house. They knew when they arrived at the house that much of it was gone, but they were able to keep the fire from spreading.

Once they saw the property in the daylight, fire crews realized had the fire spread, it could have been disastrous given the dry hillside behind the home, which is dense with trees and brush. If it had been a windy night-this could have had a very different outcome.

"It could've gone up the hill, through the valley and into or threatened the community of Rossmoor," said Captain George Laning, with Contra Costa Fire.

Once the fire was out, the victim went in to see she if she could recover anything. She couldn't find her purse, but fire fighter did find her wedding ring.