Two Fires in Campbell Leave Families Displaced

December has not been a kind month in terms of fires.

Santa Clara County Fire Department trucks and various equipment rushed to two sites on Dec. 1.

At 2:49 p.m., the first fire was called in from 620 Nello Dr.

According to Santa Clara County Fire Department Operations Capt. Gil Smith, the Nello Drive fire was called in as a garage fire. A total of 14 units responded and when they arrived, fire and smoking were visible from outside.

"Due to the wind conditions, they called the second alarm," Smith said.

No one was home at the time, but the American Red Cross of Silicon Valley helped the displaced family.

Fire crews cleared the incident at 6:58 p.m.

At 4:28 p.m., the fire department received a call about a second fire not far from the Nello Drive one.

A total of 12 units were dispatched to the complex at 600 Marathon Dr.

Smith said that there was heavy smoke and flames coming from the attic and roof of the two-story, 16-unit apartment complex.

"With the wind event it was fanning those flames," Smith said.

So again, a 2-alarm structure fire was called.

Fire crews cleared the fire at 10:35 p.m. and as in the first fire, The American Red Cross of Silicon Valley came out and found housing for 12 occupants of the apartment complex.

"The fire crews were very nice," said Coffeetree Apartments Manager Gerry Ewalt. "Many of the residents had families to go to and the Red Cross came out to help.

"We offered many a warm place to go last night, and offered up beverages but none of them took it," Ewalt said. "We think most of them will be OK."

Both fires are still under investigation.