A 30-acre brush fire that came uncomfortably close to homes and apartments in San Jose Wednesday is being pinned on a pigeon that sat a little too close to another, PG&E officials said.
The fire, which was reported at about 2:15 p.m. on Communication Hill, just off Highway 87 near Curtner Avenue, was contained shortly after 4 p.m. The flames narrowly missed the homes near the top of the hill.
Crews found a downed power line and a charred pigeon with its wings blown off near the area where the fire is believed to have originated, PG&E spokeswoman Jennifer Zerwer said.
Zerwer said it looked like the bird was resting on a wooden support cross arm when it brushed up against another winged friend, creating a short circuit.
"It was zapped by the wire," Zerwer told the Mercury News.
An out building was burned and two firefighters were hurt fighting the blaze.
