In the aftermath of the blaze at a 50,000-square-foot commercial property on Los Gatos’ northern border that burned nearly the entire weekend, dogs that hunt for human remains began sniffing their way through the debris.
At multiple points, officials worried the canines may have uncovered evidence of the worst possible news.
“We’ve certainly had some moments where we got concerned,” said Capt. Justin Stockman of the Santa Clara County Fire Department, adding these turned out not to be dead bodies. “No hits so far.”
But in the hulking carcass of a structure on Dell Avenue at Knowles Drive searchers found clothing articles and some old food items, despite the building having supposedly been vacant, he said.
An arson investigation task force was set to comb through the rubble, as of Tuesday, to look for clues of how the place went up in smoke.
Acting Chief Glass told the Los Gatan Friday he already considered the building a “total loss” at that point.
By 5pm the fire had been “contained,” he said, adding fire authorities had decided to let it burn down to ashes in a controlled fashion.
It would continue smoldering until officially extinguished Sunday.
Dollinger Properties, the building owner, has been cooperating with investigators, according to Stockman, the SCCFD spokesperson.
“We are still legally in possession of the site,” he said Tuesday, adding uncovering the cause of the blaze will take time. “The reality of this investigation is it’s going to take weeks or months for us to know anything.”
Featured photo – the commercial property burns into Saturday morning. (Photo by Drew Penner / Los Gatan)
