GILROY
– Flames growing nearly three stories high engulfed five acres
of the Uvas Creek bed near a homeless encampment off of Santa
Teresa Boulevard and Third Street Thursday evening. No injuries
were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Witnesses said
they heard an explosion before seeing the fire.
GILROY – Flames growing nearly three stories high engulfed five acres of the Uvas Creek bed near a homeless encampment off of Santa Teresa Boulevard and Third Street Thursday evening. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Witnesses said they heard an explosion before seeing the fire.
The area, lined with dense vegetation, is a common place for homeless people to camp but also is known by the fire department as a hot spot for fires.
“We get fires like this down here every year because of the homeless encampment,” Acting Division Chief Ed Bozzo said. “Once it gets into the bamboo, it burns pretty hot.”
The Gilroy Fire Department received a call at 5:31 p.m. and arrived at the scene five minutes later.
The fire spread quickly due to the presence of thick underbrush and bamboo. The hollow nature of bamboo can encourage fires to grow, Bozzo said.
“It’s kind of like a jungle in there,” Division Chief Phil King said. “There are a lot of branches and it’s muddy. That can slow you down. You have to use little trails through the bamboo and trees.”
Firefighters drew water from a hydrant across the street and linked hoses together to reach the fire. King said the fire engulfed about two acres from the embankment to the creek. The fire was under control within 30 minutes.
Residents trying to drive out of nearby Village Green Apartments were temporarily obstructed by a water hose going across a minor street. The situation was resolved when an alternative exit was opened. Traffic on main streets, including Santa Teresa Boulevard, was unaffected.
