![]() ![]() 26, 2021, or 17 months after the violations were first reported. The records suggest that San Jose fire officials were tasked with re-inspecting the code violation at least 23 times and that it was not marked as remedied until Oct. Inspectors also instructed Home Depot officials to “secure insulation hanging from the ceiling.” On May 19, 2020, San Jose’s Bureau of Fire Prevention found that the store was not maintaining a proper amount of clearance between the ceiling, where the sprinkler system was secured, and storage. Records recently obtained by this news organization reveal that several notable fire code violations were discovered over the past two years at the 98,000-square-foot store. Still, questions about how the flames were able to level the Home Depot so quickly and whether fire code violations at the building played a role remain unanswered. “When someone commits a terrible act of this magnitude that endangers many, our people spring into action to save lives - and that’s what our police department and first responders did that day,” police Chief Anthony Mata said. During his initial court appearance Tuesday, Gogue did not enter a plea and was remanded to jail without bail, pending another court appearance on June 1. He was arrested Friday and booked into the Elmwood men’s jail. The investigation also alleges that Gogue had stolen merchandise from a nearby Bass Pro Shops store prior to the blaze, and that after leaving the scene he went on to steal from an East Bay Macy’s store. He was stopped by an employee but took off in a waiting vehicle, Rosen said. Investigators say Gogue lit the fire before attempting to flee the store. “Miraculously no one was hurt … But it came close - far, far too close - to causing many injuries and deaths.” “I’m thankful that my office - the DA’s office - is not prosecuting a multiple murder case today,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said Tuesday, praising the quick response of more than 100 city firefighters. He has been charged with three counts of arson, seven counts of grand theft and three counts of petty theft, which carry a sentence of 14 years to life in prison if he is convicted on all the alleged crimes. The fire raised questions about the building’s fire-response systems, after witnesses reported the fire alarms did not sound until nearly everyone was outside, and that the store’s sprinklers did not appear to activate.ĭyllin Jaycruz Gogue, 27, of San Jose, is accused of intentionally igniting the blaze that erupted on April 9 in the lumber section of the Home Depot at 920 Blossom Hill Road. The five-alarm fire quickly grew into a conflagration and forced hundreds to flee the store and nearby businesses and homes. Gogue is alleged to have set fire to a Home Depot store on Blossom Hill Road while trying to steal tools. SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 19: Dyllin Jaycruz Gogue, right, appears with an attorney for a hearing at the Hall of Justice on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. ![]() ![]() Forest Service, California’s firefighting agency and the California Department of Justice, with help from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s crime lab.A man accused of lighting a fire that ended up destroying a Home Depot - and also blanketed a South San Jose neighborhood in noxious smoke and burned so hot that it triggered weather satellites - was trying to create a diversion while he made off with a cart full of stolen tools, authorities said Tuesday. The district attorney’s office said the case was developed with the U.S. So I urge everyone to wait and hear what really happened before they form any opinions,” Reichel added. that proves any of the prosecution’s evidence yet. “There has been no evidence submitted into a court subject to my cross-examination. The pair have a scheduled court appearance on Friday, Reichel said. They’re very law-abiding people,” he said. “Neither one has ever been in trouble with the law in their life. The son made several 911 calls because the calls kept dropping in the rugged area, and both men also warned campers about the fire, Reichel said. The son called 911 to report seeing flames, Reichel said. He said Travis Smith is an electrician and was with his father near where the fire started. Reichel said he did not know details of the accusation, such as how authorities allege the fire was set. Reichel, the men’s lawyer, said: “They are absolutely 100% innocent.” ‘We've Done Everything We Can': South Lake Tahoe Begins Road to Recovery Following Caldor FireĮl Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson provided few details about the arrest of the Smiths, citing the investigation. ![]()
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