Car fire likely sparked vegetation fire in Santa Clara County

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A car fire is the likely cause of a vegetation fire in Santa Clara County though Cal Fire says it will still have to formally investigate the cause. The fire was so hot it melted the car's rims.

The fire has burned 40 acres and is 40 percent contained. Cal Fire officials said the next update will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Officials told ABC7 News firefighters will be at the scene overnight and Tuesday morning as they do some additional mopping up and containment.

Approximately 150 firefighters responded this afternoon on the ground cutting back trees and in the air dumping water and fire retardant.

"Luckily there are some roads on the ranch land there that we're basically using as a perimeter for one flank of the fire that did a really good job of stopping part of it," said Cal Fire Division Chief Jim Crawford.

Cal Fire says the other part was along San Felipe Road. While initially, it seemed they might need to evacuate residents from their homes, ultimately no structures were threatened.

"I actually saw the firetrucks before we saw the smoke," said nearby resident Frank Baumann. "Typically the wind blows away and it's pretty clear around here so no real danger."

One resident returned as a fireman was filling up a truck at the hydrant in front of her home.

"They act very quick and the people are well trained so I'm not really scared," said neighbor Hoa Le.

The man who says his car caught fire tells ABC7 News he ran to the closest neighborhood where he could get cell service to call for help.

He says the fire began under the wheel and that he tried to put it out with gravel.