Two hospitalized after apartment fire near San Leandro

UNINCORPORATED ALAMEDA COUNTY -- A man suffered severe burns in a one-alarm fire at an apartment unit in unincorporated San Leandro this morning, according to the Alameda County Fire Department.

The fire in the 1500 block of 159th Avenue was reported shortly before 1 a.m. and was under control within 10 minutes of crews arriving on scene, fire officials said.

The man was transported to St. Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco for a combination of first, second and third-degree burns that covered his face and front chest area, according to fire officials.

A woman who suffered smoke inhalation was transported to Eden Medical Center, fire officials said.

Two pets suffered from heavy smoke inhalation and were taken to VCA Bay Area Veterinary Hospital in San Leandro, according to fire officials.

The fire appears to have started on a cooktop in one unit of the building and was contained to the kitchen, fire officials said.

The blaze did not spread to any other units and no other injuries were reported, according to fire officials.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.