California Firefighters Quickly Douse SJSU Blaze

San Jose firefighters quickly quelled a blaze that ignited at a San Jose State University classroom Tuesday after a dinner buffet caught the drapes on fire.

No damage was reported to the Hugh Gillis Hall building where the fire broke out about 4:30 p.m. at San Fernando Street near Fifth Street.

Most of the damage, estimated at about $25,000, was smoke related and confined to the curtains and light fixtures.

Because of the location of the blaze and the potential for more damage, the fire department called a second alarm and extinguished the flames within 20 minutes.

Fewer than 10 students were in the building when the fire erupted and no injuries were reported. The building was evacuated, however, as a precaution.

Several of the students were filming a project across the street when the fire ignited shortly after the caterers set up the buffet in the drama classroom.

''The more resources we have early on, the greater chances to keep the fire small and minimize fire damage like we did here today,'' said San Jose Fire Capt. Allison Cabral.