July 30--SAN JOSE -- A powerful, fast-moving fire destroyed one house and damaged a neighboring home in a South San Jose neighborhood Wednesday, authorities said.
The blaze, which elicited five alarms, was reported at 11:22 a.m. at a two-story home in the 4300 block of Hampshire Place, nestled just northeast of the major intersection of Almaden Expressway and Branham Lane. Officials believe the fire started at one home and then spread to a second.
A squad of as many as 90 firefighters corralled the fire in just over an hour, declaring it knocked down at 12:37 p.m.
There were no immediate reports of injuries. One home was destroyed by the fire. The other had some damage, because firefighters had to cut holes in the roof to vent the heat and flames. It might not be habitable either.
It was not immediately clear how many people were displaced.
Because of the extensive SJFD response to the fire, crews from the Santa Clara County Fire Department and the Santa Clara Fire Department were called to backfill four vacant stations to ensure adequate service to other parts of the city.
Check back later for updates to this story.
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