Almaden Resident

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Almaden Valley dream home goes up in smoke over holiday

By Emilie Crofton

Almaden Valley residents Harmoz and Emik Barandar spent two years building their dream home at 6662 Graystone Lane only to have it destroyed in a Dec. 28 fire.

The Barandars and their 7-year-old twin boys were on vacation in Lake Tahoe when they witnessed their 11,000-square-foot mansion go up in flames on a television news station. No one was injured in the three-alarm blaze.

Neighbors watched as and 55 firefighters from three fire stations spent three hours battling the blaze. Firefighters received the first call at 2:39 a.m. The fire was contained approximately three hours later at 5:30 a.m., according to San Jose Fire Department Capt. Barry Stallard.

The first fire crew to the scene, San Jose Fire Station No. 22, told Stallard they witnessed a large ball of fire near the front doors. The fire appeared to be burning from the basement area and working its way up.

The house, which Stallard says the insurance agent estimated at $6.4 million, was almost completely destroyed. Only the façade and master bedroom were left intact; however, these areas of the home were severely damaged by water and smoke. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.