The fire was reported at approximately 4:30 a.m. at 1335 Montecito, just north of North Shoreline Boulevard, west of Highway 101. The fire grew to three alarms before firefighters gained the upper hand on the flames.

The fire was determined to be under control at about 6:10 a.m., but not before three units were burned in the blaze.

Firefighters have determined the fire started in a vehicle parked in the carport. "It can move very quickly," said a Mountain View firefighter on the scene. "Fire, when it gets the opportunity, it'll move right up the wall, burn anything combustible. And a lot of combustible materials in a car, they tend to burn very hot, so you know it can take off on you."

It appears all the residents evacuated safely. There were no reports of injuries.

KCBS' Matt Bigler reports