A family of 10 was lucky to escape with no deaths or injuries today after flames and smoke engulfed almost their entire house, a San Jose fire official said.
''It is amazing they got out,'' said Capt. Allison Cabral. ''When our crews arrived on scene, there was smoke and flame coming from every side of the house. These people were very fortunate.''
Cabral said the family woke up to smoke, but that the smoke detectors in the hallways didn't work. She said she hoped the near-tragedy serves as a reminder to other people to check their smoke detectors regularly.
The fire department was called to 3201 Modred Drive, in the city's Berryessa district, at 5:02 a.m., and arrived four minutes later to a house that was already fully engulfed in fire. The family members were all safely outside with no injuries.
''Our crews went in early, but the fire was so intense they had to back out,'' Cabral said. Those firefighters then fought the fire from outside as those arriving from a second alarm concentrated on making sure the fire didn't spread to nearby houses.
The fire was declared under control at 6:55 a.m.
Cabral said the family, which included children from just a few months old to 13 years old, was receiving assistance from the Red Cross and the city housing agency.
She estimated the loss of the destroyed house at up to $240,000. Fire investigators were on the scene to try to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
Distributed by the Associated Press
