San Jose fire investigators planned to remain at a metal plating and finishing shop through the afternoon to try to determine what caused a three-alarm structure fire there, a fire captain said.
Fire crews responded to reports of a fire at the shop at 354 Umbarger Road about 4:20 a.m., and the first units on scene reported seeing smoke coming from the building, San Jose Fire Department Capt. Steve Alvarado said.
The fire department identified the building as a "hot zone" because chemicals were stored or used at the business, and a precautionary shelter-in-place was in effect for more than an hour, Alvarado said. The warning was issued for residents in a nearby mobile home park and other homes down the street.
Firefighters had the flames contained and lifted the advisory at about 6 a.m., Alvarado said, and hazardous materials units had cleared the area by about 10 a.m.
No injuries were reported.
The Fire Prevention Bureau inspected the business March 2 for environmental concerns relating to the chemical runoff from processes conducted at the business.
"There was a concern with the way that the runoff from the process was being treated," Alvarado said.
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Code enforcement staff issued a red tag order for the business to stop using certain pieces of equipment in some of the processes at the business, Alvarado said.
Those who issued the order were at the scene Tuesday morning pointing out the areas that were red tagged as a reference for investigators working to determine cause, Alvarado said.
