A vacant building along San José's Saratoga Avenue corridor erupted in a three-alarm fire, sending thick smoke over the west side and forcing firefighters and police to lock down nearby streets as crews fought to keep the flames from spreading.
https://t.co/Uw9aFpc5c9 https://t.co/FesluT8Xyz
— San José Fire Dept. (@SJFD) January 31, 2026
The San José Fire Department said on X that crews were “battling a three-alarm blaze” along the 1700 block of Saratoga Avenue. According to that update, Lawrence Expressway was shut down at Saratoga, while Saratoga Avenue was closed in both directions between Prospect Road and Lawrence Expressway as firefighters worked to knock down the flames and secure the scene.
Where the fire broke out
The fire burned near the intersection of Saratoga Avenue and Lawrence Expressway, a stretch marked by low-rise commercial buildings and a major redevelopment site. Dispatch records and local posts pointed to 1777 Saratoga Avenue as the specific location of the fire. That parcel is part of a larger mixed-use plan the city has been reviewing. According to the City of San José, 1777 Saratoga is included in the El Paseo de Saratoga mixed-use village project.
Redevelopment context
The 1777 Saratoga parcel has been flagged in city planning documents as part of the El Paseo master plan, which outlines housing and a residential care facility for the site. SF YIMBY previously reported that demolition crews had begun clearing former commercial buildings in the area, and that sections of the shopping center and neighboring parcels were slated for removal to make way for new construction.
What officials say and what to expect
The San José Fire Department said crews remained on scene and that the cause of the blaze was under investigation. Drivers were urged to steer clear of the area while road closures stayed in effect. City officials had not immediately released information on injuries or provided a detailed damage assessment.
