Fire Rips Through Abandoned San Jose Building

Firefighters worked overnight to put out a one-alarm fire in a boarded up, abandoned San Jose building, where they believe squatters were living.

Battalion Chief Michael Patterson said the fire broke out Sunday just before 11 p.m. in the 1300 block of McLaughlin Avenue just before 11 p.m. It took about five hours to stamp out all the hot spots. He added that he believes that the older building that caught fire is on Santa Clara Valley Water District property.

The fire was difficult to fight, Patterson said, because the structure was deep onto the property and not near the street so additional hose lines and water supply were needed to fight the blaze.

Patterson made a plea to the public to keep ample defensible space around their properties, as firefighters gear up for what is likely to be a challenging fire season because of the drought.
 

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