Second Alarm Fire in San Jose's Almaden Valley

Yesterday (April 4, 2006) at 18:43 hrs San Jose Firefighters responded to multiple reports of a house fire on Mt. Pakron Drive in south San Jose’s Almaden Valley. Heavy smoke was reported enroute by Engine 22 personnel lead by Captain, Scott Ackemann. Upon arrival Firefighters were challenged with a fully involved garage fire with flames endangering the home next door. Firefighters quickly determined nobody was in the involved house and deployed hose lines to protect the endangered home. Seconds later support units arrived and deployed hose-lines through the front door of the involved house and pushed the fire away from the living quarters to protect the home contents. Firefighters endured intense heat and smoke saving the uninvolved portion of the house. A total of 34 Firefighters including six companies and seven support units under the direction of Battalion Chief Juan Diaz brought the fire under control in just over an hour. Although there were no human casualties, two dogs, two cats and two birds perished in the fire. A preliminary report indicates the cause of the fire appears to be accidental and is still under investigation.

Submitted by Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer and Craig Allyn Rose, Volunteer Photographer, San Jose Fire Department