Iconic San Jose Church In Danger Of Collapsing After 4-Alarm Fire

SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) -- Firefighters spent the night on fire-watch at an iconic church that burned following Sunday services.

Now Holy Cross Church at 580 E. Jackson St. is in danger of collapsing at any moment. San Jose firefighters stayed overnight to keep pedestrians safe in case the unstable walls fall down.

Afternoon mass had just gotten out when the fire started around 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The pastor spotted the flames near the pipe organ on the second floor, shut off the electricity and called 911.

The flames quickly spread to the roof, turning to a 4-alarm with 100 firefighters spraying water from all directions. Some parishioners who have been coming to Holy Cross for generations were stunned.

"This is my life," said parishioner Sylvia Macias. "I come here every Sunday. This is our church, our neighborhood. I was baptized here, my kids were baptized here."

The historic building was founded as a mission of the St.  Patrick's Church in 1906, according to the church's website. It traditionally served Italian immigrants who lived in the north side of the neighborhood.

One firefighter was treated for a medical emergency, but otherwise, no one was injured.

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• San Jose
• Fire
• Church