2 Kids, Grandfather Killed In San Jose Fire

SAN JOSE, CA — A terrible tragedy in San Jose Tuesday — a grandfather and two elementary school aged children were killed in a fire that leveled a mobile home, according to the San Jose Fire Department. The mobile home was completely engulfed in flames and had partially collapsed by the time firefighters arrived.

"It's a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with the family for their loss," Fire Capt. Mike Van Elgort said.

"This is tough to handle for the fire department as well," Van Elgort said.

According to a neighbor, the grandfather was inside the mobile home when a loud noise was heard before the blaze broke out. The neighbor said it appeared as if the man himself also caught fire, according to Van Elgort.

The neighbors tried to put out the fire with garden hoses before firefighters arrived, but the blaze burned hot and fast.

Van Elgort said that mobile homes, because of their lightweight construction, tend to burn faster and more aggressively.

Mobile home residents are encouraged to always be very careful when cooking and to make sure they have working smoke detectors. In the event of a fire, residents should immediately evacuate the home instead of trying to put out the blaze, according to Van Elgort.

The Fire was first reported at about 12:30 p.m. at the Golden Wheel Park, located east of I-880, between Brokaw and Gish roads. Firefighters were able to knock down the blaze about a half hour later.

— Bay City News contributed to this report; Image via San Jose Fire Dept.

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