Wind-fueled 4-alarm fire burns 2 homes, 1 garage in Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, Calif. (KGO) -- Two homes and a garage are damaged after a fire broke out in a Fairfield neighborhood along Santa Barbara Way.

With the wind, it could have been worse. Crews will stay in a cul de sac all night to make sure embers don't reignite and blow to other houses, rekindling a frighteningly fast fire.

The flames roared to life at 3:45 p.m. Friday from what Fairfield police say was a homeless encampment along a hiking trail. It spread through the grass to a redwood fence.

"I ran out back and grabbed a hose and try to put it out because my fence is on fire," said fire victim Kyle Phelps. "Then I watched my back garage burn down with all my tools in it

Neighbors said you could feel the heat from the wind driven flames.

"The winds were picking up and I just seen it travel from tree to tree and then it got to this tree and caused this house to go up," said Nedra Polk, a neighbor.

Within minutes another house was on fire. Three structures severely damaged. But no one injured. Many rescued pets and belongings.

"It was pretty chaotic. Lots of smoke lots of flames and lots of people yelling, getting people out and officers banging on doors," said Fairfield police Sgt. Matt Bloesch.

"Everybody's yelling fire, there's a fire" Polk said.

Police decided to evacuate 10 homes on the south side of Santa Barbara Way. The 4-alarm fire was under control within an hour. But smoke and fear still linger in the neighborhood.