Thursday, June 21, 2012

Multiple Calls Report House Fire In Monte Sereno

  
Photo By Bruce Dembecki
Shortly before 3:00 A.M., on Thursday June 21, Santa Clara County Fire Department received 911 calls reporting a house on fire at 18125 Constitution Avenue in Monte Sereno. First in Engine 8 reported that more than half the house was fully engulfed when they arrived, and firefighters called a second alarm. Motorists on Highway 17 more than a mile away were calling to report the very visible flames.
   
Firefighters switched to a defensive operation and worked to contain the blaze to the house of origin and protect neighboring properties. An ember patrol was established to check area roofs and surrounding vegetation. In addition to the house heat destroyed a car parked close to the house, and severely damaged a large limousine parked more than 30 feet away.
   
Photo By Bruce Dembecki
The second alarm call resulted in a request being made to Fire Associates for a Fire Support Unit soon after 3:00 A.M. and Bruce Dembecki responded with Fire Support Unit 2 on scene by 4:00 A.M. Fire Associates members Jerry Haag and Ron Green were on scene when Bruce arrived, bringing the Support Unit loaded with donuts. While Fire Associates members were busy serving coffee and donuts, their jackets and sweaters were put to use warming the residents, who escaped their house with only the clothes they were sleeping in.
 
Fire Support Unit 2 was released from the incident and was on the way back to San Jose Fire Station 6 by 6:00 A.M.
-- Report Submitted By Bruce Dembecki