San Jose firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire early Monday morning at a Buddhist temple on Foss Avenue that had already sustained significant damage during a major blaze last year, according to fire officials. Crews were dispatched at approximately 5:37 a.m. to the 90 block of Foss Avenue after reports of a structure fire at Chua Duyen Giac, a large, two-story mixed-use Buddhist temple located in the Alum Rock area.
Firefighters arriving on scene encountered heavy fire conditions, prompting a third-alarm response to bring in additional personnel and equipment. Fire officials confirmed that no one was inside the building at the time of the fire, and there were no immediate reports of injuries. During firefighting operations, crews reported a partial roof collapse, highlighting the structural instability of the building, which had not fully recovered from previous damage.
The San Jose Fire Department said the building had been heavily compromised by a three-alarm fire that occurred on May 13, 2024. That earlier incident displaced occupants and left the temple in a severely damaged condition. During last year’s fire, one person was transported to a hospital for smoke inhalation, though no serious injuries were reported at that time. Investigators have not yet indicated whether the two fires are related.
As firefighters worked to contain the flames and secure the structure, traffic was shut down along Foss Avenue to allow emergency crews to operate safely. Traffic signals were also reported to be out along Alum Rock Avenue between Interstate 680 and Sunset Avenue, causing delays for morning commuters in the area. Authorities advised drivers to avoid the vicinity while emergency operations were underway.
Fire officials said crews worked for several hours to bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading to nearby properties. By mid-morning, firefighters began scaling back operations as conditions stabilized. Crews were observed clearing the scene, and impacted roadways were expected to reopen once safety checks were completed and debris was cleared.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and fire officials have not released an estimate of the damage from Monday’s blaze. Given the temple’s prior structural damage, investigators will assess whether compromised building conditions played a role in the roof collapse. The incident adds to ongoing concerns about fire safety and the vulnerability of previously damaged structures.
Officials emphasized that the absence of occupants at the time of the fire likely prevented injuries, while the swift response by fire crews helped limit further damage. Updates are expected as investigators continue to examine the scene and determine the origin of the fire.
