Fire Associates Called to Scene of Fatal San Jose Fire

  

Photo By Bruce Dembecki

Around 11:00 P.M. on December 29, San Jose Fire Department received reports of an apartment ablaze with people trapped at 3679 Bridgeport Court in West San Jose. With reports of multiple people inside the burning apartment responding units upgraded the incident to a second alarm before the first units were on scene. County EMS was also asked to respond an Ambulance Task force to the scene. First units on scene reported the second story apartment fully engulfed and attempted to enter the unit in search of those reported missing. The fire drove back firefighters who reported the apartment conditions as untenable.
  
A police officer and three residents were treated for smoke inhalation injuries suffered attempting a rescue. The blaze was contained to the building of origin, and was under control soon after midnight. Sadly a man, woman and child perished in the blaze. 56 people were displaced by the blaze and by 3:00 A.M. were in the hands of the Red Cross.

Incident Commander B/C Barry Stallard summoned Fire Associates to the scene around 11:50 P.M. as a special call. It was clear the operation would be extended and outside conditions were close to freezing. Bruce Dembecki responded with Fire Support Unit 2 from San Jose Fire Station 6 and was met on scene by George Hoyt, Jerry Haag, Dan Wong with his guest Dominic Soder, and guest Walter Huber. 
  
Access to the small suburban court was blocked by a 5" supply line. Rehab was established down the court so the Fire Associates crew schlepped supplies and equipment into the scene, setting up lighting on the end of a long power cord run. Coffee and other hot drinks were popular in the near freezing weather. FSU 2 was released by 3:00 A.M.

• Bruce's photos can be viewed at: West San Jose Fire

  
-- Report submitted by Bruce Dembecki