Fire Destroys High School Classrooms and Computer Lab

Just before 9:00 PM, on Tuesday, August 15, 2006, San Jose Firefighters responded to a report of a fire at Foothill High School at 230 Pala Avenue in San Jose's Alum Rock district.

As units arrived on scene they discovered a working school fire with heavy flames and smoke engulfing the front of the educational building. Under the direction of Battalion Chief Mike Ayala, a second-alarm was struck immediately bringing additional resources to the scene as firefighters established a defensive operation. To keep the fire in check, Engine Company 2, Led by Captain Glen McGuire, deployed multiple exterior hand lines. Captain Robert Gutierrez of Truck Company 2 and Captain Brent Dickenson of Truck Company 1 directed their respective Truck Companies to execute ladder pipe operations.

Most of the roof and at least two classrooms were completely destroyed, while a third room that served as a computer lab suffered severe damage. Approximately 50 firefighters battled the blaze that was finally controlled just before 12:30 AM. According to San Jose Fire Department Captain Michael Shaw there were no injuries and the fire remains under investigation and is considered suspicious.

Submitted by; Fire Department Photographer Craig Rose

Posted by; Captain Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO