Early risers on the northbound I-280 near El Monte Road exit in Los Altos Hills witnessed a dramatic scene last Friday when a white Honda Civic veered off the freeway, crashing into surrounding vegetation and igniting into flames. The Santa Clara County Fire Department’s social media post detailed the swift response of local firefighters from El Monte and Loyola stations who rushed to the incident as dawn broke.
Upon arrival, the crew found the car fully engulfed, with the driver having already escaped what could have been a deadly blaze. Thanks to their rapid intervention, firefighters established safety measures and combated the spread of fire, which had caught on to nearby grass and trees.
Reinforcements, including Engine 75 from Los Altos, Battalion 74, and Engine 65 from the Palo Alto Fire Department, were also called upon. Their collective efforts kept the flames at bay, preventing what could have easily escalated into a threat to nearby residential areas. Miraculously, despite the scale of the fire and potential hazards, no injuries or property damage were reported…