Santa Clara County Fire called for Fire Associates' aid on Monday evening, just at the end of the Valentine's dinner hour. At 7:48 PM, FASCV was paged to a factory fire at 18410 Butterfield Blvd. near the cross with Jarvis Ave. Don Gilbert and John Whitaker responded to Morgan Hill in FSU-3. They were met on scene by FASCV members Bruce Dembecki, Mike Chappell and Ron Green.The first-arriving County Fire units found a heavy column of smoke coming from the center of a large, tilt-up structure occupied by Tencate Advanced Composites. County Fire was joined on scene by South County Fire District, Gilroy Fire Dept. and San Jose Fire Dept. rigs who arrived as part of a mutual aid response. Once the fire was knocked down, crews had to deal with a hazmat clean up operation. The fire apparently was the result of chemicals that "over cooked" and the resulting smoke and fumes were not easily vented. The hazmat situation meant that the rehab area was also staffed by 3 American Medical Response medic rigs as well as an AMR supervisor.
Fire Associates provided the usual hot coffee, cold beverages and Clif Bars until we were released at approximately 11:00 PM. Fire crews greatly appreciated the response on a night when most husbands are home with their wives!
- Bruce Dembecki's photos can be viewed at: Morgan Hill Factory Fire
