A three-alarm fire ripped through the vacant Mexican American Community Services Agency youth center at 600 Sinclair Drive in San Jose’s Mayfair district shortly after 1 a.m. Friday, according to the San Jose Fire Department. Flames engulfed the structure before firefighters arrived, and officials said the building appears to be a total loss. No injuries were immediately reported, and investigators have not yet determined the cause, though initial reports indicate the blaze may have started outside the facility. The Renaissance at Mathson school, which sits adjacent to the property, cancelled classes for the day because of safety concerns, the Alum Rock Union School District said. Community members had recently urged city officials to spare the long-shuttered center from demolition, arguing the 1950s building could be repurposed for youth programs. Fire crews expected to remain on scene through the morning to put out hot spots and begin an investigation.
#BREAKING UPDATE: A fire in East San Jose has scorched the vacant MACSA youth center, and a school adjacent to the property has canceled classes for the day. https://t.co/u1Ji49BCGB https://t.co/cmwLc5k5AL
#BREAKING: San Jose firefighters are battling a three-alarm fire at the vacant MACSA youth center in the city's Mayfair district. https://t.co/moP2L4r3sG https://t.co/r1nHf2PmE5
The former Mexican American Community Services Agency youth center in San Jose went up in flames early Friday morning, just as people have been fighting to save the building from demolition. https://t.co/WwhPO9C5Dl https://t.co/WwhPO9C5Dl