Survivors Of 5 Alarm San Jose Fire Rescued From Balconies

SAN JOSE, CA — A five-alarm fire early this morning at an apartment complex in San Jose sent four people to hospitals and caused firefighters to have to rescue multiple people off of balconies, a fire captain said.

The fire was reported at 5:53 a.m. on the second floor of a 36-unit building at 2079 McLaughlin Ave., San Jose Fire Capt. Mitch Matlow said.

Fire crews arrived and found people trying to use ropes and sheets to climb down from balconies at the building. About 20 residents on upper floors were eventually helped down with ladders, Matlow said.

Fifteen people were treated at the scene but only the four required transport to hospitals, he said. An update on their conditions was not immediately available.

A Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority bus was used to shelter some of the residents.

The American Red Cross also responded and has set up a reception center at the complex's clubhouse to assist displaced residents, according to Red Cross spokeswoman Cynthia Shaw.

Fire crews remained at the scene as of 9 a.m. to make sure no flames remain hidden in walls of the building, he said.

The cause of the blaze has not been determined and authorities do not know how many of the 36 units at the building will still be inhabitable.