San Jose fires: At least one person detained, fires at 90 acres

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Friday, June 5, 2020
Fire burning in San Jose's Santa Teresa foothills, arson suspected
As of 9:30 p.m. Thursday, the fire was 80-acres in size and 25 percent contained, per the San Jose Fire Department.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- One person was detained Thursday night as firefighters battled what they are calling the the Colleen Fire, in the Santa Teresa foothills in San Jose.

An estimated 90 acres have burned with 80% containment, fire officials said Friday morning.

The spot fires are in the area of Colleen Drive, near the Boulder Ridge golf course in South San Jose.

A possible second person was detained after it got dark outside. Crews say it's possible that the fires were intentionally set.

Officials are also looking to question a third and fourth person about what happened. Further specifics on the individuals and any possible role they may have had in the fire have not been released.

By 7:30 p.m., 25 acres had burned, evacuations were ordered, and the battle was on to put out the flames. Santa Clara County's Wildland Task Force was called in for assistance.

The fire came dangerously close to homes. ABC7 News was there as an S2 air-tanker dropped retardant. Some of the retardant landed on houses in the area, that's how close the flames were.

As a number of crews fought from above, others went to work on the ground.

From our SKY7 chopper, you could see them cutting away dry brush along the hillside. At one point, the fire came close to a large water tank in the area, but it didn't ignite.

An evacuation center is open at the Almaden Community Center for those affected by the fire, though as of 9:30 p.m.Thursday night, the evacuation order had been lifted.

This fire comes just hours after a fire in San Felipe Road and Heartland behind San Jose's California Oak Creek neighborhood.

Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.