The State - News from April 1, 1987

Fire swept through a senior citizens’ apartment house in Redwood City, resulting in the deaths of two people and “substantial” damage to the building. Fire Chief Harold Yoakum said the cause of the blaze has not been determined. He said 15 engines, including some from neighboring communities, responded. “There were two deaths,” Yoakum said. “One involved a person who died at the scene and the other of a person who had a full arrest (heart attack) and died at the hospital. They (the deaths) were related to the incident but weren’t necessarily caused by the fire itself. . . . We’re not sure of the damage amount, but it is substantial and in six figures.” Yoakum said the Red Cross set up a short-term shelter for the seniors at Sequoia High School and is working on a plan for a long-term shelter.