Home engulfed in flames hospitalizes firefighter, more than a dozen displaced

SAN JOSE, Calif. - At least 14 residents, including eight children, have been displaced, and a firefighter was injured after a multi-unit townhouse was engulfed in flames Saturday afternoon in San Jose. Firefighters described the building as a total loss.

The call came shortly before 3 p.m. about the fire in the 2800 block of Cicero Way in East San Jose. A firefighter was taken to a local hospital with burn injuries to their ears and face. 

Crews said they faced a number of challenges during the firefight.

"We had a fire hydrant that didn’t work down the street, and so we had to scramble and get a fire hydrant from the other side," said San Jose Fire Battalion Chief, Robert Culbertson. "There was live ammunition that was going off, there was fuel, there was fuel oil inside of the building."

Fire officials said everyone inside was able to get out in time, but two pet dogs didn't survive.

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Nearby structures were also evacuated as a precaution. 

"The close nature of these homes really was dangerous, and that’s one of the successes of the event we ran today, we saved both of those houses on either side," said Culbertson.

Several nearby roads were shut down. Officials are asking people to avoid the area.