Huge Fire Burns Multiple Homes Near Westgate Mall In San Jose
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A three-alarm fire that damaged three homes in San Jose and burned for nearly eight hours was put under control late Monday night, a fire dispatcher said.
Firefighters responded to the fire in the 4600 block of Mossbrook Circle between West Hamilton and Campbell avenues shortly before 3 p.m., according to the fire dispatcher.
A natural gas line produced flames and burned through some electrical wires, fire officials said.
PG&E responded to the scene after flames spread to a residential gas meter and electrical wires caught on fire, PG&E spokeswoman Jana Morris said.
At about 4 p.m., PG&E crews cut off gas at the scene after a damaged residential gas meter caused gas to escape, Morris said.
No injuries were reported and fire officials are investigating the cause of the blaze, the dispatcher said.
San Jose police evacuated residents affected by the fire and those who live near Moreland Middle School, located a block west of the fire, as a precaution, the fire dispatcher said.
The homes are near the Campbell city border and less than a mile away from the Westgate Shopping Center.
"The primary structure is completely destroyed," San Jose Fire Capt. Cleo Doss said about the first home to catch fire. "We have some minor charring of the home on the eastern side. We do still have an active gas leak that's flowing and we're allowing it to flow until PG&E can secure it from the street."
The blaze was under control by about 11:10 p.m., the fire dispatcher said.
The Red Cross was called to the scene to assist those displaced by the fire, the dispatcher said.
A number of cars appeared to have been destroyed in the blaze.
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