SAN JOSE, Calif. (KCBS) _ At least two townhouses suffered major damage from a fire in San Jose Sunday morning which has displaced about 20 people.

San Jose Fire Captain Debbie Ward said the blaze quickly went to three alarms, as the first firefighters experienced major smoke and fire at the complex on Cannongate Court.

"The fire was outside when the first crews arrived, but quickly accelerated up the wall and into the first unit," said Ward. "It spread and got into the attic and spread to the second unit."

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Ward said they were fortunate that several firefighters were already in the area, as they were participating in a multi-agency drill at nearby Cunningham Regional Park.

"Crews were able to stop it with large hoses from going into the third," she said. "The trucks did go up on the roof and cut some ventilation holes that also aided in it not extending into the other two units."

Ward said the fire appears to have been accidentally set, but the cause remains under investigation. No injuries have been reported.