Tree falls into home in Morgan Hill

MORGAN HILL, Calif. - A tree came crashing into a Morgan Hill home Tuesday afternoon, sending a grandmother and her grandson scrambling for safety.

Beverly Jensen said she didn't know what to make of the commotion in front of her home on E. 5th Street at first.

"The whole house shook and then I heard crashing. I thought it was an earthquake, so I went to a safe place, ducked and covered then I realized that 'hmmm something more happened," said Jensen. "And I looked outside and saw what had happened with the tree."

At about 12:45 p.m., a large branch of the 300-year old Heritage Oak crashed down, damaging the house and chimney.

"Well, I actually thought it was an earthquake, and that's what I told my grandson. And that's what he's telling everyone now, that we had an earthquake at Grammy's house," said Jensen.

Cal Fire arrived shortly after the tree collapsed. Paul Provence from Cal Fire said at first fire officials heard the grandmother and boy were trapped inside the home, but found them outside and safe when they arrived.

The next order of business was making sure there was no further danger.

"Well, we had a power line, the service line to the house was still over the street it was under tension from the tree," said Provence. "So we had PG &E to come help with that, The gas line was underneath the tree we had to get under the tree to shut off the gas."

The homeowner says they've lived in the home for 28 years and are already planning on rebuilding and restoring the home. They say the tree in the front yard was a big reason they bought the home in the first place and that they'll miss it; but they say they have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.

"We're fine. Shaken up," said Jensen. "But you know what? We're safe. We're healthy. That's the best thing that can happen today."