San Jose Police Arrest Two Suspects in Connection with Massive Storage Unit Fire
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — San Jose police have arrested two suspects in relation to a devastating fire that occurred at a Public Storage facility on Blossom Hill Road on June 14. Investigators believe that the fire was sparked by illegal fireworks that were stored inside one of the units.
Authorities have identified the suspects as 45-year-old Anthony Dasilva and 25-year-old Nathaniel Valassis. During their investigation, detectives not only discovered their involvement in starting the fire but also found several other units that contained additional illegal fireworks.
While conducting searches of various units and residences, police seized a substantial amount of contraband. Among the items confiscated were approximately 38,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, over 13 ounces of methamphetamine intended for sale, over 200 grams of cocaine for sale, marijuana intended for sale, approximately $4,800 in cash, and one semi-automatic firearm.
Both suspects have been arrested and booked into jail, facing charges related to their involvement in the storage unit fire and the possession of illegal substances.
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, leaving many affected by the incident anxious for answers and justice.
A retired fire chief who spoke to ABC7 News expressed the serious nature of the confiscated fireworks, stating that 38,000 pounds of illegal fireworks is enough to level or burn down a building. The fact that these dangerous explosives are now off the streets is considered a significant victory for public safety.
Tragically, the fire destroyed an estimated 40 to 50 storage units, leaving many individuals devastated and scrambling to salvage what remains of their belongings.
One such individual, Bryce Grenon, shared the heartbreak of losing cherished possessions that were stored in one of the units. His family had nearly everything stored in the facility as they were in the process of relocating. Grenon initially couldn’t believe the amount of illegal fireworks seized, thinking it must have been a mistake.
“We didn’t think it was serious. We thought, oh someone messed up the numbers or something. It couldn’t be 38,000 pounds,” Grenon said.
Grenon and his family desperately visit the storage facility every other day in the hopes of retrieving anything salvageable. Among their lost items are his grandfather’s war jacket and medals. The most challenging part of this ordeal for Grenon has been telling his daughter that some of their most treasured possessions are gone forever.
“Her baby pictures, ultrasound pictures, everything was in there,” Grenon said, highlighting the irreplaceable sentimental value of the lost items.
Friends of the affected families have started GoFundMe campaigns to support them during this difficult time. The community’s generosity and support are crucial as the victims try to move forward and continue their planned move to Auburn, California.
Rayna Hildebrand, another victim of the fire, expressed the emotional toll of losing belongings that were obtained through hard work and can never be replaced. Hildebrand created her own GoFundMe campaign to help recover from the loss.
The investigation into the exact cause of the fire is ongoing. Meanwhile, the San Jose community remains resilient, offering support and assistance to those affected by this tragic incident.
If you would like to donate to the victims of the Public Storage fire, you can find the GoFundMe campaigns by searching for Bryce Grenon and Rayna Hildebrand on the website.
Watch live coverage of the incident on the ABC7 News app.