Fire destroys former San Jose youth center eyed for renovation

Fire destroys vacant San Jose youth center eyed for possible redevelopment

A building in east San Jose that once housed the Mexican American Community Service Agency, MACSA, was destroyed in an predawn fire. The cause is under investigation.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Investigators in San Jose are now trying to determine the cause of an early Friday morning fire at a building that once housed a youth center.

The fire was first reported shortly after 1 a.m. at the former site of the Mexican American Community Services Agency, of MACSA, on Sinclair Drive.

Fire spread quickly

What we know:

The fire quickly grew to three alarms. 

About 50 percent of the main building was already involved in fire," when firefighters first arrived, said Battalion Chief Brad Cloutier of the San Jose Fire Department.

Because of safety concerns, firefighters battled the blaze defensively, from the outside, Cloutier said.Cloutier said.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Fire crews will remain on the scene for much of Friday to watch out for flare-ups.

Cloutier said homeless people have been known to stay in the building, which closed down a decade ago. But the cause of the fire is under investigation. 

"Even though the MACSA building has been burned up in flames, the dreams of our east side youth are still alive," said San Jose City Councilmember Peter Ortiz, who has a connection to the former youth center.

"I actually went here when I was young and I was gang-impacted, and so this site meant a lot to me," Ortiz said. "I joined a gang at the age of 12, and I left at the age of 24."

Throughout the day Friday,  firefighters were still dousing hot spots from ladder trucks. Fire crews will monitor the ruins for any more flare-ups.

Building vacant but eyed for redevelopment

What they're saying:

The fire comes soon after officials had plans for the site.

"I was actually going to announce a grant from the city for some predevelopment work," Ortiz said. "We got $500,000 to start charting out our game plan for the redevelopment of the site."

Victor Vasquez is co-executive director of nonprofit SOMOS Mayfair, which had hoped to renovate the center.

"It's an extreme blow, it's emotional," Vasquez said. "I hope that we still see a pathway to use this space and recreate it, because the students still need a gym, the community still needs the services that they desire, and I don't think this should be the end."

Neighbors were saddened by the fire.

"That's unfortunate," said Michael Sanchez. "It's be nice with the limited space in San Jose for it to be used for something productive for the community."

Henry Lee is a KTVU reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan