SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KGO) -- A Santa Clara business that helps people with disabilities finds itself in need. A fire at Hope Services destroyed donations and three trucks used to collect those items.
The fire broke out at around 4:30 p.m. and many of the employees had gone home for the day a little early on Friday, so luckily they were not in danger.
Flames quickly tore through a donation storage area for Hope Services, an agency that helps people with disabilities. Cellphone video shot by witness Ahmed Shoukr, shows a large column of thick black smoke and large flames. He says people at a nearby mosque quickly tried to make sure no one was in danger.
"Everyone was kind of like scared because there is a children's playground here so we were trying to get the kids out to a safe place in the parking lot," Shoukr said.
No one was injured. This was a single-alarm call, but because the flames were fueled by clothes and electronics, it took fire teams about 45 minutes to snuff it out. Firefighters remained on scene for several hours to make sure there were no flare ups. Fire investigators say they do not suspect any criminal activity.
"Nothing that we would describe as suspicious, just under investigation right now, until we can determine a point of origin and a cause. But there are no indications of any criminal activity or anything like that on scene," Santa Clara Fire Batt. Chief Casey Potts.
Three delivery trucks were destroyed in the fire. A spokesperson for Hope Services says those trucks are an integral part of their operation.
"I think people are well aware of our trucks that go around and collect discarded items and then we collect them and then help put people to work who have disabilities and might not otherwise have jobs," Hope Services spokesperson Robin Doran said.
They are still trying to determine how their services will be affected by this fire and they're relieved no one was hurt.
If you'd like help Hope Services replace those lost trucks click here for donation information.