San Jose Calls for FASCV Assistance at 5-Alarm Blaze

   

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It was just a little before 5:00 P.M. on September 19, when the San Jose Fire Department asked for assistance from Fire Associates at a 5-alarm structure fire. A fire had begin in one of the city's old victorians located at 272 E. Washington Street. With summer temperatures hovering in the mid 90s, John Whiteside responded in FSU-3 and Don Gilbert brought FSU-02. They were met on scene by FASCV members George Hoyt, John Whitaker, Ron Gree, Mike Chappell and Dan Wong.

It was a good thing both support units were on scene. The approximately 100 firefighters present were going through an average of a bottle-and-a-half bottles of liquid for every hour they were on scene. FASCV gave out almost every bottle of water and Gatorade that was brought on both vehicles! In addition, every bag of ice that was brought was also used up. On top of all this, the fire began right before the dinner hour, so hungry crews had to be fed. 90 burritos were ordered up by SJFD Communications personnel with John Whitaker and Dan Wong volunteering to go pick up the order.

Despite the very hot temperatures, firefighters made a good stop on the blaze. The structure was fully involved, but neither of the adjacent homes were damaged. Fire was present on every floor of the involved home, built in 1892. Fire Associates provided assistance in a very busy rehab area until released at approximately 9:30 P.M. It should be noted that the temperature had only dropped to 78 degrees at the time of release!

• John Whitaker's photos can be viewed at:  5-Alarm Blaze in San Jose
   
• A San Jose Mercury News story can be read at:  Victorian Destroyed by Fire