Apartment fire in San Jose leaves 100 displaced

More than 100 people were displaced and four were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and minor injuries after a massive fire at a 36-unit apartment complex in San Jose, officials said.

The fire started around 5:53 a.m at 2079 McLaughlin Ave. near Highway 101 and Tully Road and the first engine reportedly arrived within five minutes, said San Jose Fire Capt. Daniel Vega. The fire seems to have started in a second-floor kitchen, he said.

Firefighters reported making multiple rescues after arriving on scene before dawn.

Vega said that although scared residents tied bedsheets together to prepare to climb down from balconies, “it doesn’t seem like that actually happened, as far as we know. It seems like fire crews rescued everybody because they arrived so quickly.”

Fifteen people were treated for smoke in-

halation and minor injuries, Vega said, and of the four taken to the hospital, at least one has since been discharged.

There were no fatalities or major injuries reported. The fire was under control at 7:42 a.m., officials said.

The extent of the damage isn’t yet known, but the fire spread from the second floor in the the three-story building to cause extensive damage. At least 12 apartments suffered damage from the fire, and a dozen others suffered water damage.

“Multiple units were involved,” Vega said. “I don’t have an exact number, but more than one apartment has been completely destroyed.”

The building remains taped off, and the American Red Cross is assisting residents in finding housing. Sophie Haigney is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophie. haigney@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophieHaigney