Gusty Winds overnight drove a fire that destroyed a duplex in south San Jose on on Denise Way near Almaden Road in San Jose.
"Damned near tears" describes the sense of relief Devante Voss felt after he and his mother were able to escape their home unharmed.
The two adults in the unit next door also made it out ok. The sound of the fire crackling above the ceiling awoke the residents just before 3 a.m. Wednesday. Within seven minutes of the 911 call, the fire was burning through the roof.
A San Jose fire captain tells us the roof went up in flame fast because it was made of shake, a light wood that is very flammable. A call went out for a second alarm shortly after the first.
Reinforcements made sure burning embers didn't start another fire downwind. At sunrise an investigator is expected to search for the source of ignition.
