United States (California) - Firefighters battled a three-alarm blaze Wednesday evening that damaged two homes and sent a man to the hospital, a fire official said. Crews were called to a house at 159 Santa Cruz Ave. just after 5 p.m. on reports of a structure fire, said Matt Lucett, spokesman for the North County Fire Authority.

Firefighters rang a second and then a third alarm when they realized the flames had jumped from one house to another and were threatening a third residence.

Crews from as far south as San Bruno joined in the effort that ultimately led to the blaze being extinguished.

A man who was in one of the homes was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. A second person was treated at the scene and declined further treatment.

It's not clear how or where the fire started.

Investigators were on the scene by 6 p.m. and were looking into the cause of the flames.

Written by San Mateo County Times