Update: 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 10: A two-story Ranch-style home at 16341 Lavender Lane in Los Gatos was partially destroyed by a fire Wednesday afternoon.
Santa Clara County Fire Deputy Chief Steve Prziborowski said the fire was reported shortly after 1 p.m. when a neighbor or one of the homeowners called 911.
When firefighters arrived on scene they could see that the blaze had started in the second story and the attic area, Prziborowski said.
A large amount of the home's second floor, its attic and the first floor was damaged in the fire that necessitated about 60 personnel to respond, including San Jose Fire Department.
No injuries or fatalities were reported.
"When I got here the individual had gotten out safely," Prziborowski said, adding that complicating the fighting of the blaze was the inability to pour water on it from the outside since it was unreachable.
The fire was controlled at about 3:20 p.m., but fire personnel said they would remain on scene between three and six hours to clean up and due to the heat and to make sure the embers are completely out.
Prziborowski said the home is uninhabitable, but the residents declined assistance from American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter Captain Demetrious McCarthy who was also on scene after being called by county fire officials.
Prziborowski said fire investigators will work to determine the cause and origin of the fire.
Neighbor Bert Sporleder, who lives on Cherry Stone Lane, said he was working in his garage shortly before 1 p.m. when his wife told him she could smell smoke.
"We came out the front door and we could see the fire and the smoke," Sporleder said. "The flames were shooting up the second story, probably 20 feet up top."
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A house at 16341 Lavender Lane is on fire, county fire officials are confirming Wednesday afternoon.
Several readers have also contacted Los Gatos Patch to report that a big plume of smoke can be seen all over town, even from Highway 17.
The cross street is Orange Blossom Lane. Inferno is believed to have started shortly after 1 p.m.
Los Gatos Patch will update this story as soon as more information becomes available.
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