FIRE DESTROYS VACANT BUILDING NEAR SAP CENTER
SAN JOSE » A two-alarm fire ripped through a vacant twostory commercial building near the SAP Center on Thursday morning, according to the fire department.
The building, located on West Julian Street and Rhodes Court, was heavily damaged in the blaze when part of the second-story floor collapsed, according to San Jose fire Capt Daniel Vega. Firefighters do not believe anyone was inside the structure, but that has not yet been confirmed.
Just before 8 a.m., firefighters received reports of flames coming from building, Vega said. When firefighters arrived, flames were shooting through the roof.
Firefighters went inside for two to three minutes before a battalion chief made the decision to have crews exit, Vega said. Minutes after crews left the building, the second-story floor collapsed.
The battalion chief “made a great move and pulled our guys out and nobody was hurt,” Vega said.
Firefighters went into a defensive mode, battling the blaze primarily with aerial ladders, Vega said. The firewas knocked down just after 9 a.m.
Neighbors told firefighters the building, which was scheduled to be demolished, has been vacant for several years, according to Vega. Neighbors told police people have been squatting inside the building, which did not have any utilities, including power or gas.
Firefighters expect some of the building to collapse later this morning.
The cause of the fire is un- der investigation.