Fire causes extensive damage to homes, vehicles in Morro Bay

Two houses and three vehicles were damaged in a fire Sunday in Morro Bay that was caused by barbecue coals that were thrown into a garbage can, fire officials said.

The fire, reported at 2:06 p.m., was in the 2700 block of Cedar Avenue, according to Cal Fire Capt. Dave Kay. Cal Fire received initial reports of a vehicle on fire in a garage, Kay said.

Half of one residence in the duplex was severely damaged, while the other half of that home suffered smoke and heat damage, Morro Bay fire Capt. Michael Talmadge said. He added that a neighboring home suffered fire, smoke and heat damage. A third residence to the south of the duplex sustained exterior damage but is livable, a news release said.

Talmadge estimated the damage to be at least $250,000.

Crews also dealt with a gas leak and power lines that fell on one of the fire engines; both the leak and downed power lines were caused by the fire.

Crews from Cal Fire, Morro Bay Fire Department, San Luis Obispo Fire Department, California Men’s Colony, Cayucos Fire Department and San Luis Ambulance assisted with the fire.

No one was hurt.

This story was originally published March 27, 2016 at 4:24 PM with the headline "Fire causes extensive damage to homes, vehicles in Morro Bay."