Fires damage two homes on New Year’s morning

Two fires broke out Saturday morning in Newport Beach inside homes that were under construction, but no injuries were reported.

Combined, the homes incurred more than $300,000 worth of damage, according to a news release issued by the Newport Beach Fire Department on Saturday.

Jennifer Schulz, a public information officer with the department, said one of the fires broke out on Grand Canal on Balboa Island. The second fire was reported on Kings Road, about a block north of Pacific Coast Highway.

More than 32 firefighters responded to the Kings Road fire, which was reported at 9:14 a.m., according to the news release. It appears that the fire started in the fireplace, then spread throughout the home.

The Balboa Island fire was reported at 10:09 a.m., but firefighters quickly extinguished that fire and confirmed there was “no extension” to the fire to any other part of the home, the news release said.

The Newport Beach Fire Department would like to remind everyone of several fire tips:

•Be sure your smoke alarms are working and make sure to replace the batteries at least once a year.

•Make sure that your family has an evacuation plan from the home.

• Make sure your fire extinguishers are working and that you know how to use them.

—Staff reports