Grandmother killed in deadly San Jose house fire identified

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - A San Jose family is grieving the loss of a grandmother who died in a house fire in South San Jose on Monday. The family has identified her as 82-year-old Sydney Brookbank. Another family member, an 11-year-old, is on life support due to smoke inhalation.

Sandy and Barney Brookbank call a room at the Homewood Suites in San Jose home for now after a tragic fire shattered their lives on so many levels.

"I'm devastated," said Sandy Brookbank, the victim's daughter-in-law. "I couldn't believe it. It's a nightmare."

At 7:30 a.m. Monday, Barney Brookbank left to go grocery shopping. He was gone for just 45 minutes and when he returned to the family home on Greenmoor Court he saw smoke billowing in his cul-de-sac and the home engulfed in flames.

His 82-year-old mother was inside.

"I knew she was bedridden," said Barney Brookbank. "This really was her worst fear with her multiple sclerosis is dying in a fire."

His mother was the original owner of the home, bought in the 1960's. Barney Brookbank, her caretaker, recalled the last time they spoke the night before when he got her ready for bed.

"I always said love you mom," said Barney Brookbank. "She would say I love you Barney, thank you. I'm so glad I said that the night before she died."

HIs 11-year-old niece Jessica, who was sleeping on a couch in the front room, suffered smoke inhalation. She's now on life support at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. The Brookbank's 22-year-old son jumped out of a bedroom window and escaped unharmed 

"My heart sunk," said Julie Howard, the principal at Robert Sanders Elementary School in San Jose where Sandy Brookbank works as school librarian. "I just couldn't believe that could happen to somebody that is such an angel on this earth."

The school created a gofundme for financial support. 

The staff is also offering meals and furniture to the family.

"It's a way to show there is good in this world, we are not going to stop we are going to move forward," said Howard.

The family appreciates the help. 

"In light of what is going on, people do open their arms," said Barney Brookbank. "There are really good people out there."

On top of funeral arrangements, they are now figuring out where to live and the school is accepting donations on their behalf. Early reports from the fire department said the fire started in a back room. The cause is under investigation. The family said it's a fairly old home with no smoke alarms.