Firefighters battle three-alarm blaze in San Jose

The fire broke out Friday evening at a vacant two-story structure in the 1700 block of Saratoga Avenue.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 9:55pm

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Firefighters in San Jose were battling a three-alarm blaze that broke out just before 5 p.m. on Friday at a vacant two-story structure in the 1700 block of Saratoga Avenue, near the Westgate Center. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Why it matters

Fires in vacant structures can pose significant risks to public safety, as they can spread quickly and threaten nearby occupied buildings. The response of the San Jose Fire Department to this incident highlights their preparedness and commitment to protecting the community.

The details

The fire broke out at the vacant two-story structure and prompted a three-alarm response from the San Jose Fire Department. Saratoga Avenue was closed in both directions between Prospect Road and Lawrence Expressway, and Lawrence Expressway was shut down at Saratoga Avenue as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

  • The fire broke out just before 5 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.

The players

San Jose Fire Department

The local fire department responsible for responding to and extinguishing the blaze.

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The takeaway

The swift response and coordinated efforts of the San Jose Fire Department helped to contain the three-alarm blaze at the vacant structure, underscoring the importance of having a well-trained and equipped fire department to protect the community from the risks posed by unoccupied buildings.