A three-alarm fire that burned for hours heavily damaged a two-story shopping center in Los Altos on Christmas morning, authorities said.
The blaze at the building on El Camino Real, between North San Antonio Road and Sherwood Avenue, caused the roof to collapse, forcing firefighters to retreat from battling the fire inside.
Crews were able to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings and contained it as of 11 a.m. No one was reported injured.
Because of the collapsed roof, the county fire department has barred entry into the building. It’s unclear when tenants will be able to go inside to inspect the damage to their businesses.
Just last week, Raul Tamayo was hosting a holiday potluck for the students of the judo club that he opened at the building in November 2022. Now, the home for that community might be gone, he said in a phone interview Monday.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Tamayo, who left his family’s Christmas celebration to watch from a distance as smoke consumed the structure.
Leyla Boissonnade, the owner of the Bay Area Dance School, said she was shocked to turn on the news this morning and see the building, home to the studio since she opened it in 2012, engulfed in flames.
“This is where children build their dance careers,” she said over the phone on Monday, her voice cracking with emotion.
On a typical weekday, the building is frequented by families and children, Tamayo said. A tutoring center, salon and children’s Chinese library are also housed in the center.
Tamayo said he plans to find a temporary location in the interim.
“There’s nothing I can do today. I’m going to spend time with family members, and then tomorrow I’ll find out what I need to do,” Tamayo said. “Material things can all be replaced — I will get back up, and I’ll rebuild.”
