January 3, 2007

Blaze destroys multi-million dollar home on Graystone Lane

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Harmoz and Emik Bar-andar watched their home go up in flames — on the morning news on television Dec. 28.
The Barandars and their twin 7-year-old boys were in Lake Tahoe for the Christ-mas holiday when their multi-million dollar, 11,000 square-foot Graystone Lane mansion appeared on TV on fire.

Steady streams of water extinguished the blaze on Graystone Lane by mid-morning. Firefighters estimated they would monitor the residence for hot spots for 24-48 hours. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“When we first arrived we could see the flames through the front doors,” said San Jose Fire Depart-ment Capt. Barry Stallard. “I just got off the phone with Mrs. Barandar. She was in tears. They found out about it while watching the news. Now they’re at the Reno airport to fly home.”

Harmoz Barandar built the multi-million dollar custom home on Graystone Lane himself, with everything top of the line. The two-year project was completed a year ago and he then moved his family into the house. His parents also lived in the residence. It was not immediately apparent where the older couple was during the fire, but they were not in the house.

Neighbors couldn’t help but notice the fire. The SJFD received a call at 2:39 a.m. from a neighbor who lived on the hill on Pramukhs Way behind the Barandar home. When the firefighters arrived, they saw a fireball emanating from the 2,000-square-foot basement. At 5:30 a.m., the blaze was under control with three fire stations and 55 firefighters responding. By mid-morning the house was collapsing on itself as huge streams of water still extinguished flames leaving only the façade and the master bedroom intact with massive water and smoke damage. A fire department spokesman claimed the house a total loss.

The view from the Barandars’ southern neighbors shows the fire’s devastation.

“I woke up around 2:30 a.m. and saw sparks and cinders flying, smoke in the air and the fire department parked in front of our house,” said David Calcaterra, who lives next door. “At one point the fire department asked us to evacuate, but came back 20 minutes later and said we could stay but only in one room just in case. We stayed up all night watching and drinking coffee. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Family members are in shock. “My cousin heard it on the news and called me this morning,” said a distraught Harold Barandar, the brother of the homeowners. He arrived at the scene at approximately 11 a.m. “I can’t believe it. I don’t know how this could happen.”

Neighbors agree. “Graystone Lane has seen a lot of tragedy this year,” said neighbor Margery Calcaterra. “This is so sad to lose your home.”

Firefighters estimated they would be monitoring the residence 24-48 hours. The cause of the fire is under investigation.