Barn and Vegetation Fire Spreads to Mobile Homes

  

Photo By Craig Allyn Rose

Just before 2:00 P.M. on Monday, May 2, the San Jose Fire Department responded to reports of a grass fire on an empty lot off Capitol Ave. near Gimelli Way. Once on scene, firefighters not only found grass on fire, but barn-like structures on the edge of the property were burning, as well. With the heavy fuel load of the barn buildings, the fire grew rapidly and quickly jumped to two mobile homes in the adjacent La Buona Vita mobile home park.
  

With the fire spreading quickly, the incident was escalated to a second and then 3rd alarm in less than 20 minutes. The 3rd alarm triggered a dispatch to Fire Associates, and members Don Gilbert and John Whiteside went to Fire Station 6 and brought Fire Support Unit 2 to the scene. They were met on scene by John Whitaker and Bruce Dembecki.
 
Rehab was established and cold drinks were quickly attacked by thirsty crews.  One firefighter suffered minor injuries during the blaze, and two mobile homes were completely destroyed.
  

The fire was declared under control at 4:20 P.M. and most units were released by 5 o'clock. With high winds continuing, San Jose Fire established a Fire Watch to remain on scene for several additional hours.

• John Whitaker's photo can be viewed at:  Mobile Home Blaze
   
•  A San Jose Mercury News story can be read at:  Capitol Ave. Fire

-- Report submitted by Bruce Dembecki