Residents escape 2-alarm house fire in San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif (KGO) -- Firefighters were able to help four residents, including a teenager, escape a two-alarm house fire in east San Jose on Wednesday.

The fire broke out just before 4 a.m. Cell phone video shows huge flames destroying the home on Story Road.

Professional photographer, Bob Carr, captured the massive orange glow between the homes on the two sides.

"The first engine got on the scene and said the house was fully involved. That means any place they could see, they saw flames," explained San Jose Fire Department Captain Mitch Matlow.

The house was destroyed, but firefighters were able to save the surrounding homes.

"My husband woke me up at 5 in the morning and said, 'Get up. Connie's house is on fire!' Connie was the lady who lived here before. These are the new neighbors just moved in on Sunday. It's very shocking," said Arlo Espinoza, who lives in the area.

The residents were outside of the one-story home when firefighters reached the scene. The blaze was quickly upgraded to a second alarm and was knocked down at about 6 a.m.

Benjamin Deocampo, his brother, sister-in-law and 14 year old niece, just moved here from Sunnyvale after remodeling the home. "It feels so bad. But there's nothing you can do. It's burned down," said Deocampo.

Deocampo says they will stay with a family member as they deal with rebuilding with the help of their homeowner's insurance.

As for the neighbors, they live with a healthy fear of fire with dry grass and open fields nearby.

"We were scared. People had stopped watering. Everything is so dry," said Espinoza.

Fire officials are now investigating the cause of the fire.

Investigators say the fire likely started in the garage. They have not determined how it started, but say it does not appear suspicious. No one was injured in the fire.