New Paradise Valley Elementary School Principal Phil Duncan made
an impression this morning. After a fire broke out at a home across
the street from the school, Duncan alerted the sleeping residents
of neighboring homes.
New Paradise Valley Elementary School Principal Phil Duncan made an impression this morning. After a fire broke out at a home across the street from the school, Duncan alerted the sleeping residents of neighboring homes.
“I’ve had some experience with house fires. I know what it’s like,” Duncan said. All but the garage of a previous home of his was destroyed in a fire, he said.
The rental home erupted in flames this morning, causing significant damage to the west Morgan Hill residence before firefighters could extinguish the blaze.
Santa Clara County Fire Department Chief Joe Parker said the blaze was initially called in as a two-alarm fire, because neighbors reported that a special needs teen lived there and was usually home. Six engines, a truck, two battalion chiefs and a hazardous materials unit responded, but some were canceled enroute when firefighters on the first engine found the home empty.
Morgan Hill police officers were on the scene as well, with four police cars blocking traffic on La Crosse Drive so firefighters could lay hose.
The fire broke out shortly before 9:30 a.m., and when the first engine arrived on scene, flames could be seen shooting out the front window. Children and parents from Paradise Valley across the street watched as thick black smoke billowed skyward.
Several minutes after the first engine arrived at 9:30 a.m., two additional engines arrived. By then, smoke and flames could be seen coming out from under the second story eaves.
The two-story, three car garage home, at 15915 La Roda Court, had a “For Rent” sign posted on the front lawn.
A resident, a young woman in jeans and a sweatshirt, cried as she watched firefighters cleanup after they extinguished the fire about 10:15 a.m.
The cause of the fire is unknown, Parker said.
More information to follow.
