Man drives vehicle into California post office, which erupts in flames

A man was in jail Sunday after it was alleged he drove a vehicle into a post office in San Jose, California, early in the morning, sparking a blaze that damaged the location, police said.

No injuries were reported in the 2:30 a.m. blaze, but the fire damaged the post office building, particularly the front part where the vehicle entered, San Jose Fire Battalion Chief Josh Staley said.

The fire was knocked down 90 minutes after it was reported, he said, but not before it most likely burned some mail. Staley described it as a two-alarm fire that drew three city fire battalions.

The vehicle and the collision apparently sparked the blaze, Staley said. The driver was later identified as Richard Tillman, 44, of San Jose, according to San Jose police.

He was jailed based on an allegation of arson and was being held Sunday afternoon, according to police and jail records. He was due in court Wednesday.

Video showed the vehicle with its backside into the structure.

Though investigators believe the collision was deliberate, motive was unknown and still being investigated, police said in a statement.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the lead agency investigating the incident, San Jose police said. It did not immediately respond to a request seeking more information.