On July 17 at 11:27 a.m., units from the South Santa Clara County Fire District, CAL FIRE, Santa Clara County Fire, Gilroy Fire, San Jose Fire, Santa Clara Fire, and other cooperating agencies responded to a four-alarm blaze that broke out at 14285 Murphy Avenue in San Martin, Calif.
Over 100 firefighters, supported by CAL FIRE Copter 902, converged on the scene to quell the rapidly advancing flames as they tore through a number of vacant greenhouses, trailers, and a garage. The fire produced a large column of smoke visible from San Jose, some 20 miles to the north.
As the fire progressed, Battalion Chief Derek Witmer placed an order for a strike team of type-1 engines to provide structure protection on the perimeter of the fire. Apparatus rolled from numerous nearby agencies.
The fire was contained nearly two hours later, but required extensive mop up operations. One individual was transported from the scene to a local hospital after complaining of shortness of breath. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
