Potential mishaps during two professional firework shows and illegal fireworks Thursday night in San Jose might have caused multiple small brush fires.
Firefighters already at the scene were able to quickly extinguish flames in East San Jose.
The event took place at Lake Cunningham Park, where many gathered for the first fireworks display, but sparks from the show appeared to have caused a few small fires in the area.
“That's why we do these events with firefighters on scene, so they can respond to small, little brush fires. Obviously that's not what we want, but we prepare for the worst,” San Jose City Councilmember Domingo Candelas said.
The planned show started at around 9:20 p.m., and it was organized so there would be less incentive for residents to use illegal fireworks.
Separately, a fire erupted near Almaden Lake.
Local
Katie Dhuey, who lives in the area, said after the show ended a fire broke out 40 feet from her home.
"[I started] throwing precious things in the car and just preparing for the worst because there was a lot of fire, the most we've ever seen on this hillside," Dhuey said.
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In order to protect her home and those of her neighbors, Dhuey said her husband and friends climbed onto the roof and began hosing down the brush. Fire crews soon responded and put out the fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
