Blaze at Belgian Diamonds store quickly extinguished

By Jeff Kearns

Firefighters were already en route when the first call came just before 8 a.m. April 27 reporting a fire at Belgian Diamond Specialties, at 16 N. Santa Cruz Ave.

A neighbor reported the call by ringing the doorbell at the Central Fire District station on University Avenue, said Capt. Joe Enfantino.

The fire, which broke out in a workshop in the back of the store, was put out less than five minutes after crews arrived at the scene, Enfantino said. The fire didn't spread beyond the store.

The walls and ceiling inside the diamond store were blackened, and the workshop was charred, but owner Bob Skubis said none of the jewelry in the store was damaged. Most of the merchandise was still locked up in a fire-proof safe during the fire.

"It certainly could have been worse; at least it wasn't Christmas," said Skubis, who expects to be closed for about four to six weeks.

Some adjacent businesses in the building, including Alex's Sports Stop, next door, were permeated with smoke, but escaped serious damage.

Nobody was inside the diamond store or the other shops in the building at the time of the blaze. A diamond store employee had been working on a project in the workshop before the blaze began, but he had left the building to get breakfast. The fire was out when he returned.

N. Santa Cruz Avenue was blocked off for about an hour, and traffic was diverted onto University Avenue after the blaze.

Skubis said he heard about the fire when some of his friends called him and said they heard about the fire on radio traffic reports.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the blaze, Investigator Bill Hardwicke said. Some electrical items from the workshop must be checked out at a lab before the cause is determined.

Hardwicke said he estimates the fire did about $50,000 worth of damage to the contents of the store and $50,000 to the building itself.

LGHS freshman admits bringing gun to school

Editorial: Creative approach needed to maintain Town's charm and character

LGHS Winterguard places eighth at World Championships

Obituaries: Alma Sieber, Peter Kraai, Stanley Johnson

Picture From the Past: Los Gatos railroads

Sports Briefs

Los Gatos boys win swim meet

Los Gatos hosts league track finals

Wildcats win two in baseball

Cats Hills Criterium Cycling Classic

Giants, Yankees tied for first in Pony League