Today, in San José, it turned hectic when firefighters responded to a second-alarm structure fire in the 500 block of MacArthur Avenue, officials said. The blaze tore through an abandoned two-story apartment building as engines and ladder trucks packed the narrow residential streets, and drivers were urged to steer clear while crews worked the scene.
Fire department update
According to the San José Fire Department, crews quickly called a second alarm after arriving and confirmed the property was an abandoned two-story apartment. In its post, the department urged the public to avoid the area while firefighters pushed to get the blaze under control.
#SJFD has a second alarm responding to a structure fire on the 500 block of MacArthur Ave. Abandoned two-story apt building. Traffic impacted nearby. Please avoid the area.
— San José Fire Dept. (@SJFD) July 19, 2026
TOC: 8:39am pic.twitter.com/CsySqecHxl
Traffic and neighborhood impact
Engines, hose lines and support vehicles clogged nearby residential streets, tangling local traffic as responders staged equipment and began overhaul. As reported after last Sunday's vacant-building blaze on Saratoga Avenue, similar incidents have led to extended road closures while fire crews work to shield neighboring homes and businesses. Residents in the MacArthur area should brace for delays while emergency operations wrap up.
Nearby streets and timing
The department's attached transcript lists nearby streets that may see closures or heavy congestion, including Los Coches Avenue, Hodges Avenue, Patch Avenue, Wainwright Avenue and Halsey Avenue. The time of the initial call is shown as 8:39 AM in the post. For the latest word on road status or any formal investigation, officials say updates will come through San José Fire Department channels.
What happens next
So far, officials have not released information on the cause of the fire or any possible injuries. Investigators typically move in once firefighters have finished overhaul and secured the building. For confirmed updates, residents are urged to follow the department's social feeds and the City of San José news page.
