Four-Alarm Fire Rips Through San Jose Condos

First-Hand Account

On Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. units of the San Jose Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire at 5028 Cribari Vale inside the Villages Golf and Country Club in the Evergreen area of San Jose.

First due Engine Company 11 arrived on scene within minutes of the call and immediately broadcast emergency traffic advising that heavy smoke and flames were visible from both the first and second floors of several two-story condominium units. Due to the volume of fire a second-alarm was struck immediately.

The fire moved extremely fast after reaching the attic space of the building prompting the Incident Commander to order all firefighters to vacate the first and second floors while transitioning to a mainly defensive strategy. At this point in the fire a third-alarm was struck, followed by a fourth-alarm to add additional companies for relief.

Firefighters deployed multiple hand lines that were augmented by two aerial master streams and at least two monitors. At least four of the condominium units were destroyed and several others suffered smoke and water damage.

Several firefighters suffered minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

West Coast 911 firefighting news story and photos by Craig Allyn Rose, Emergency Photo