San Jose Authorities Investigate Second Consecutive Night of Suspicious Vehicle Fires

San Jose Fire Department investigators responded to a reported arson early Thursday morning, marking the second consecutive night of intentional vehicle fires in the city’s industrial sector.

According to departmental reports, crews arrived at the scene on East San Avenue, located just east of Highway 87, at approximately 12:15 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered two vehicles fully engulfed in flames. The location is situated in a primarily industrial zone populated by auto repair shops. Firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze within an hour and cleared the scene.

Deputy Chief James Dobson of the San Jose Fire Department confirmed that the Thursday fires were “incendiary events,” indicating they were set intentionally. “Right now we are doing the investigation for origin and cause,” Dobson stated in a press briefing.

This incident follows a series of similar fires reported between 2:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday. During that timeframe, seven separate vehicles were burned across five different locations within a half-mile radius of the downtown area. Security footage obtained from a local business reportedly captured an individual lighting several vehicles on fire before departing on a bicycle.

While investigators have not conclusively linked Thursday’s fires to the Wednesday incidents, authorities acknowledged the similarities in timing and method. A comparable unsolved event also occurred in the Willow Glen neighborhood on December 18, 2025. Deputy Chief Dobson noted that while there are few witnesses due to the late hour of the offenses, the department is working closely with the San Jose Police Department to identify a “person of interest” seen in available surveillance footage.

Investigative Outlook

The recurrence of vehicle fires in a concentrated geographic area over a short timeframe suggests a potential pattern that law enforcement authorities are prioritizing to prevent further property damage or risk to public safety. The investigation currently relies heavily on forensic analysis of the burn sites and the retrieval of surveillance footage from industrial businesses to establish a definitive link between the incidents. As police and fire officials collaborate to identify the individual observed on video, the focus remains on determining if a single actor is responsible for the string of arsons dating back to December. It is important to note that while a person of interest is being sought, no formal charges have been filed, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.