The fire that broke out on the top floor of the Carlton Avenue fourplex resulted in damages totaling an estimated $70,000, according to officials. The fire left a hole in the roof and minor water leakage to the unit below the charred one-bedroom apartment.

No one was home at the time the fire erupted. One firefighter was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for heat exhaustion and was released that same afternoon.

The tenant of the unit destroyed by the fire is staying with family, said Capt. Richard Salazar of the Santa Clara County Fire Department.

The day after the incident, wooden boards were nailed over the places where glass had been broken out of windows and a pile of debris remained on the lawn, covered over by a blue sheet.

Investigators believe the fire was the result of the refrigerator's worn electrical cord being pushed up too close against the wall, which caused friction. That's why it's important to make sure there's enough room for a cord to breathe and not be pinched, Salazar said.

"It's one of those things where housekeeping comes into play," he said.

Firefighters rushed to the scene shortly after receiving a call from a passerby at 12:29 p.m. on July 21, Salazar said.

"It never was full flames jumping everywhere," said witness Jeff Cable, although there was "tons of smoke." Neighbors came out of their homes to watch the scene unfold, and police blocked off the street, Cable said.

One police officer, whom Cable described as "pretty daring," used a garden hose to put out the fire, all the while standing amidst broken glass that was flying toward him.

The fire was contained to the one apartment and was put out by 12:44 p.m., Salazar said. The last firefighter cleared the scene four hours later.

Building owner Arif Naqvi, who estimates total damages to be closer to $100,000, said firefighters had to rip off part of the roof to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjacent unit. He expects repairs to take place within two months.