Panic and smoke engulfed a Mountain View apartment complex Sunday morning as firefighters scrambled to combat an inferno that ripped through the building. The blaze, which began on the third floor of the complex located at 2600 Fayette Drive, prompted a swift evacuation helmed by property management with the assistance of Mountain View Police, according to an official statement on the City of Mountain View's website.

It was 11:33 a.m. when the emergency call came through. Firefighters were dispatched a minute later, arriving on the scene by 11:40 a.m. to confront a roaring fire in a third-floor unit. Upon arrival, the first engine company attacked the fire with a 1¾-inch hose line, curbing the spread to neighboring apartments. The fire, which caused no reported injuries, has left an estimated $1,000,000 in damage to both the structure and its contents.

With the situation escalating, fire officials requested backup, leading to a collaborative effort featuring firefighters from the neighboring Palo Alto Fire Department and Santa Clara County Fire Department. The mutual aid provided critical support, as Santa Clara County Fire units covered Mountain View stations during the incident. A piece of equipment—a self-contained breathing apparatus—was brought in from the City of Santa Clara Fire Department to aid the firefighting efforts.

Once the flames were tamed, an extensive overhaul of the affected unit ensured the fire was fully smothered. The operation forced the closure of Fayette Drive for over three hours, with fire units and equipment dotting the scene. In the fire's wake, the American Red Cross was beckoned to coordinate temporary housing solutions for nine residents across seven apartments.

The cause of the Sunday blaze remains under investigation.