Multi-alarm fire destroys South San José fourplex

On Friday, June 27, 2014, at 1404 hours, units of the San José Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire with possible rescue at 778 Warring Drive in South San José.

While en route, firefighters reported a column of smoke showing and upon arrival confirmed heavy smoke and fire showing from at least one of the four units. Companies immediately went into rescue mode and quickly confirmed that all occupants were out of the building.

Initial efforts to press an offensive attack on the fire were quickly thwarted when a large section of roof began to severely sag. Firefighters vacated the structure and assumed defensive operations to prevent the blaze from extending to neighboring structures.

The fire quickly grew to three-alarms with the Santa Clara County Fire Department sending several units to assist in the firefighting efforts. One firefighter received minor burns and several residents are now homeless and being assisted by the American Red Cross of Silicon Valley.