A four-story condo complex under construction in Santa Clara was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon, according to NBC11.
The fire happened near the Rivermark shopping center at Montague Expressway and Lick Mill Blvd. The flames and smoke from the fire could be seen for several miles.
NBC11's George Kiriyama said the flames were shooting 100 feet in the air at one point. Witnesses said the fire appeared to start on the roof of the complex, according to Kiriyama.
Kiriyama said one wing of a multi-story condominium complex just off Montague has been destroyed. Fire crews were able to contain the fire to one wing of a multi-wing condo complex that is under construction, according to NBC11. They were on the scene of the fire for several hours dousing hot spots.
The Santa Clara fire department said this was a five-alarm fire.
It's not clear how it started.
Kiriyama said it does not appear that anyone was hurt in the fire and that all of the construction workers were able to safely escape the flames.
The condo complex that caught fire is surrounded by hundreds of recently constructed homes in a new Rivermark neighborhood. There is also a shopping complex within 100 feet of the fire that includes a Safeway and several restaurants.
The fire is also flanked by a multi-level Sierra Suites hotel and a two story parking garage.
The flames and black smoke reminded South Bay residents of the Santana Row fire in 2002 which is categorized as the largest structure fire in city history.
