FLASH REPORT: David Avenue Apartment Fire

SOURCE: City of San José Emergency Operations Center CONTACTS: Carolina Camarena, Director of Communications, City of San José Media Line: 408-535-7777 Jacob Pisani, Public Information Manager, San José Fire Department 408-398-9228; [email protected] Date/Time of Update: September 26, 2025, 1:30 p.m. Fire Incident: On Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 5:11 p.m., the San José Fire Department (SJFD) received reports of smoke coming from the two-story garden-style David Avenue Apartments located at 3040 David Ave. A full first-alarm response was dispatched, with the first unit arriving on scene at 5:17 p.m. Due to significant life hazards and fire conditions, the incident was upgraded to a second alarm at 5:28 p.m., and later to a third alarm at 6:01 p.m. to bring additional resources to the scene. Crews prioritized life safety, successfully evacuating all occupied apartments. The fire was well-established in the entire attic space, requiring firefighters to physically pull down ceiling material in all second-floor units to fully extinguish the fire in the confined space. Both gas and electrical utilities were shut off to mitigate any potential hazards. Firefighters diligently worked to salvage and protect first-floor units. The fire was declared knocked down at 6:12 p.m., when firefighters had extinguished all visible flames and stopped the fire from spreading. The building was red-tagged, meaning it was declared unsafe to enter until repairs are made. Approximately 70 residents were displaced from 22 affected units. No injuries were reported, and multiple pets were rescued. Fire Department personnel escorted occupants to their units to retrieve personal belongings, medication, and valuables. The fire is believed to have originated in the attic, and the cause is under investigation, but it appears to be accidental in nature. SJFD is interviewing witnesses and property management who were on scene when the fire was reported. Shelter: The City of San José opened a temporary shelter in partnership with the American Red Cross. "I am proud of our emergency response operations, which prepare and plan for all types of emergencies year-round to protect lives, property, and the environment. This commitment to preparation ensures we can deploy the right resources at the right times," said Assistant City Manager Lee Wilcox. "Last night, thanks to our Fire Department's quick response, no one lost their lives and, thanks to our partnership with the Red Cross, everyone displaced had somewhere to go," said Mayor Matt Mahan. "I want San Joseans to know that if disaster strikes, we will respond rapidly, we will care and we will help. The families who lost their homes last night have a long road ahead - but our city will walk beside them." Any resident affected by this fire can contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767). Sign up for Text & Email Alerts: Residents are advised to opt in to AlertSCC, the Santa Clara County emergency alert system. Sign up at https://http://bit.ly/2BzQxt0. AlertSCC is a free, easy, and confidential way for anyone who lives or works in Santa Clara County to get emergency warnings sent directly to their cell phone, email, or landline. No further flash reports will be issued at this time. ###