At about 1:30 P.M., on Friday, July 2, San Jose Fire received reports of a balcony on fire that was spreading to the roof of an apartment complex at 2275 S. Bascom Ave. First-due S.C. County Engine 11 reported heavy smoke visible once they pulled out of the Campbell Fire Station driveway and upon arrival request a second alarm. Within 15 minutes, San Jose Battalion 10 struck a third alarm. The fire damaged several units in the involved building, but it was quickly contained to the one building - a concern since there are a lot of tightly packed wooden buildings in the complex.
The fire started on the ground floor balcony where children playing with a sparkler accidentally ignited a sofa.
Fire Support Unit 2 arrived on scene around 2:00 P.M. and worked with SJ Med 30 to establish a rehab area around the complex's swimming pool. Bruce Dembecki brought the Support Unit to the fireground and was met on scene by George Hoyt, Don Gilbert, Fred Oehm and (can you believe ?) Cliff Smith made his third fire for the year -- a new record for Cliff in recent times. After serving cold drinks and Clif Bars, FSU2 was released at 4:00 P.M.
-- Report filed by Bruce Dembecki
- A San Jose Mercury-News story is at: Sparkler Starts Bascom Ave. Fire
- Bruce's photos are at: Bacon Ave. Fire
- Craig Allyn Rose's photos can be seen at: Bascom Apt. Fire
