Fire Destroys San Jose Victorian

Firefighters contained a three-alarm fire early this morning that  destroyed a Victorian-style home in a San Jose neighborhood, a fire  department spokesman said.
    San Jose firefighters responded to the fire in the 400 block of  North Fifth Street at 12:49 a.m. today, said fire department spokesman Capt.  Mike Van Elgort.
    The First Engine Company arrived only minutes later, at 12:53 a.m.  and found the fire had already spread to the entire house.
    A second alarm was called at 12:55 a.m. and a third at 12:59 a.m.
    Firefighters managed to keep the fire from spreading to other  houses in the neighborhood, and contained the fire about one hour and 30  minutes later, at 2:29 a.m.
    A total of 55 firefighters and command staff responded to  extinguish the fire.
    "The first engine company did an excellent job of aggressive  interior attack," Van Elgort said.
    Van Elgort added that the firefighters' job was particularly  difficult as resources were spread thin due to several violent crime  incidents in San Jose on the New Year holiday.
    "Those guys are heroes," he said.
    The fire displaced four residents of the house, but no one was  injured, Van Elgort said. The cause is still under investigation, and damages  are estimated at between $500,000 and $750,000.
    "The house is a complete loss," he said.