The man, identified as resident Dan Theodore by his neighbors, was the only casualty. No one else was injured in the blaze.
Theodore died due to accidental smoke inhalation, according to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office. The origin of the fire remains under investigation.
Neighbors of the home in the 700 block of Lola Lane called emergency services at approximately 3 a.m. to report a fire in a single-family home.
Husband and wife Eric and Rachel Chamness said they heard a popping noise – the sound of flames devouring the yew tree on the other side of the fence separating their home from Theodore’s.
“We looked out our bedroom window, and it was just completely orange,” Rachel Chamness said.
The Chamnesses and neighbor Gary MacLeod attempted to rescue Theodore, but flames and smoke made entry into the house impossible.
MacLeod knew the location of Theodore’s bedroom and broke a window to retrieve his friend. He said a huge plume of smoke escaped from the room, and he recalled throwing up his hands in defeat because he knew there was nothing he could do.
Flames completely destroyed the home’s back room where Theodore stored electrical and computer equipment and often worked. Firefighters used shovels Thursday afternoon to clear the charred debris.
The fire also brought down a power line behind the house.
Neighbors said Theodore, in his early 60s, was a renter who lived in the home for approximately 20 years. He earned a doctorate in electrical engineering and worked as a consultant in the semiconductor industry, but his passion was long-range rifle competitions. Theodore was known as a premiere bullet maker, and the exploding ammunition likely included bullets he made himself.
“Everything he did was kind of off the Richter scale,” said Susan Lundy, Theodore’s former girlfriend and co-worker.
Theodore was a respected Bay Area triathlete and a big wave surfer in Hawaii. After injuring his knee, he took to less active pastimes like shooting and bullet making. He enjoyed reading and swimming and was always kind to the neighborhood children.
“He was hard to get to know, but once you got to know him, he was a wonderful guy,” MacLeod said. “And I was proud to call him my friend.”
Lundy said Theodore had a smoke alarm in his home but that it had malfunctioned and had been discarded on the floor.
“It was a real privilege to know him,” said Lundy, tearful. “I think we’ll all miss him a lot. Keep your smoke alarms tuned up. That’s what I’ve learned.”
