Photograph by Dai Sugano

Firefighter Daron Pisciotta prepares to go into the blazing home on Wardell Court.




Saratoga home gutted by a two-alarm fire

By Steve Enders and Jason Baker

A two-alarm fire gutted a home at 12556 Wardell Court in Saratoga just before noon on Aug. 19, when newspapers the occupant was burning in her gas fireplace jumped out, landed on the living room carpet and spread uncontrollably, scorching most of the house.

Fire investigators from the Santa Clara County Fire Department at the scene first reported that either a neighbor or the occupant of the house had suffered a stroke, and didn't know whether it was related in any way to the fire.


Photograph by Dai Sugano

Tom Oldread (left) hoses down the shingle roof of the burning home.




Later, however, paramedics at the scene confirmed that the patient they had treated was the occupant of the house, and that the patient had suffered minor burns and minor shock but had not had a stroke.

The woman declined to be transported to an area hospital. Chief fire investigator Bill Hardwicke said the estimated damage to the home and contents was$300,000.

Gray smoke could be seen for miles, as moderate winds pushed flames dangerously close to trees and the surrounding homes.


Photograph by Dai Sugano

Captains Pat McCaul (left) and Richard Tracy plan their attack on the blaze.




Two fire engines were roaming the neighborhood looking for roof fires from drifting embers behind Wardell Court as firefighters worked inside the home to suppress the blaze. One truck was placed on the street behind the house, where firefighters were concerned the blaze might spread to another home.

Most of the homes in the court have roofs with quick-burning wood shake shingles, as did the house that burned.

About 15 minutes after an emergency call was placed with the Fire Department at 11:36 a.m., most of the home's roof was on fire, and a majority of the home's interior appeared to be completely scorched. The home is in the area served by the county fire district.

Homeowner John Vinson is comforted by neighbors.




Photograph by Dai Sugano







Some 37 county firefighters were on the scene, along with five engines, two truck companies, one hazardous materials unit, six volunteer firefighters and one paramedic unit.

The owners of the house, John and Marge Vinson declined to discuss the fire.

Burning newspapers spark two-alarm house fire

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