1 Taken To Hospital, 2 Autos Broken In Vegetation Hearth Alongside Freeway 101 In San Jose – CBS San Francisco

SAN JOSE (KPIX) – A small but intense fire fueled by the heat wave and wind destroyed two cars and injured their owner on Thursday evening.

“This fire was moving very quickly, we were lucky we were a few blocks away with another incident and were releasing units when we saw the column of smoke,” said San Jose Fire Capt. Mitch Matlow. “We are currently seeing the types of fuel moisture that we would normally see in September or October before that.”

Matlow said the drought robbed the moisture normally found in vegetation this time of year, causing fires to spread aggressively. He said there was concern about the potential for fast moving, aggressive fires ahead of the July 4th holidays and warned the public to think twice about setting up illegal fireworks.

Thursday’s fire burned McKee Road and Highway 101 vegetation near the exit. It came near a couple of houses.

Neighbors said the burned homeowner tried to protect his cars and property. The fire burned part of the fence he had just built, neighbors said.

“Then he went back to try and get things from his house,” said Brian Cromosini.

Brian and his brother Chris Cromosini took action when they saw his neighbor had burns on his arm.

“I said, ‘Let me get you some water, everything to drain,’ because he had second degree burns, it was pretty bad,” Cromisini said.

The couple also ran across the street to an elderly neighbor’s house to spray water on her back yard where they saw smoke.

“You couldn’t even see anything, my eyes were burning,” said Chris. “But do what you can to help, I think.”

Residents of the cul-de-sac next to the vegetation on the highway said the area burns every year and the bushes are never cut. Nobody knew exactly who owned the property. KPIX called CalTrans to ask if the agency owns the property. A spokesman said they would look into it.

“On the other hand, it will happen again,” said Al, not wanting to give his last name. “You don’t do anything, you know. Every year the same.”

“It’s pretty frustrating, but also kind of scary, because they have kids here,” said Melissa Cromosini. “It’s every year. That’s the worst thing ever, and that’s pretty bad. Two cars and the guy is lucky he got out. “

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but local residents agreed what would have happened if the vegetation had been preserved.

“We were able to help something, we can be really grateful for that,” said Cromosini.