An electric problem in the attic is the likely cause of a house fire late this morning on Benner Court.
Livermore/Pleasanton Fire Department Deputy Chief Jane Moorhead said eyewitness reports and other factors lead investigators to believe the blaze started in the attic and was caused by an electrical problem of some sort.
The home on the 6300 block of Benner Court suffered heavy fire damage in its garage and attic. The remainder of the house suffered smoke damage. The loss is estimated at $250,000.
Firefighters were first notified of the blaze at 10:57 a.m. They arrived at 11:03 a.m. The flames were extinguished in about 45 minutes.
No injuries were reported. A pet lizard was rescued by firefighters.
Moorhead said four people live in the house -- a husband, wife and two children. Only the wife was home when the fire began.
Moorhead said the woman noticed smoke and went outside to check. While there, neighbors came over and urged her not to go back into the house. They then called 9-1-1.
Six Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department engines and an Alameda County Fire Department truck responded to the blaze.
Police blocked off several blocks surrounding the house due to the heavy black smoke the fire caused.
