A massive fire broke out at a vacant commercial building in Campbell Friday morning, gutting the structure and sending a column of smoke into the sky that could be seen for miles.
The blaze at the 50,000-square-foot building in the area of Dell Avenue and Knowles Drive, just north of Highway 85, ignited at about 10 a.m., fire officials said. Firefighters were still battling the blaze into the late afternoon hours.
Authorities did not issue any evacuation or shelter-in-place orders, but smoke from the fire was causing unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups, especially those with respiratory conditions. Officials said anyone sensitive to poor air quality should stay indoors and close windows and doors.
Acting Santa Clara County Fire Department Chief Brian Glass said the building was scheduled to be demolished in the coming days, prompting firefighters to change their approach to putting out the flames.
The fire did go to four alarms, prompting neighboring agencies to get involved in the fight against the fire.
It wasn’t immediately known how the fire started. The cause is under investigation.