The State - News from Sept. 20, 1988

Fire took the lives of a 9-year-old boy and his father in a West San Jose apartment four-plex, despite the efforts of an off-duty Redwood City firefighter who saw the smoke while on his way to work. Dave Raymaker kicked in the front door and rushed into the building, San Jose fire officials said, managing to drag the 25-year-old father outside. Thick, black smoke, however, prevented him from searching for other victims. San Jose firefighters subsequently found the boy in a back bedroom, suffering from first- and second-degree burns and smoke inhalation. His father suffered third-degree burns over 95% of his body. Both died at a hospital. Neither was immediately identified. A 21-year-old man who was asleep in an upstairs bedroom escaped through a window when awakened by screams and smoke.