SJ 5-Alarm Fire Destroys Businesses, Rare Car Collection
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Firefighters remained throughout the night at the scene of a five-alarm fire that burned two businesses in San Jose Saturday morning, a fire captain said.
Fire crews responded to a report of a structure fire at Commercial Street and Berryessa Road shortly before 7 a.m., San Jose fire Capt. Fernando Munoz said.
The first fire crew arrived to find the structure fully involved and quickly raised the blaze to two alarms, he said.
The fire was gradually upgraded to five alarms and Munoz said some 110 firefighters from seven agencies were called in to battle the blaze.
A majority of the fire was knocked down around 9:30 a.m. but numerous flare-ups prevented firefighters from entering the one-story building, he said.
Although an area east of the structure was evacuated, Munoz said the fire was contained to the single building.
Fire crews were using a backhoe to dig out some of the smoldering remains from inside and Munoz said they would likely remain on scene through Sunday morning to put out any remaining embers and conduct an investigation.
Munoz said the fire started in the front of an upholstery business housed in the metal building. The fire is not suspicious, he said.
As to the state of the building, Munoz said, "It's destroyed."
"Anytime a metal building takes on that much heat, it gets very weakened," Munoz said. "It will probably have to be demolished and get rebuilt."
Munoz said there is no damage estimate at this time because fire inspectors have not yet been able to enter the building. In addition to the upholstery business, Munoz said an auto shop was also located there.
He said the owner of the auto shop performed stereo installations and did some minor mechanic work, but he also stored 10 "collector's cars" in the building, which were also damaged.
Two people were inside the building when the blaze started but were able to escape on their own, Munoz said.
No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
