UPDATE: Neighbors Shaken as 2-Alarm Blaze Destroys Home on Albert Court in Healdsburg

A fast-moving two-alarm fire ravished a two-story home in Healdsburg early this morning, leaving the owners unhurt but with all their belongings and the house a complete loss.

"Luckily no one was hurt, but the owners lost everything," Chief Steve Adams said. He estimated damages at $400,000.

A barbecue left out on a wooden deck in the rear of the house likely was the cause of the 1:56 a.m. blaze at 241 Albert Court, Adams said.

Neighbor Ibis Klimicek de Villa said her husband woke up a little before 2 a.m. "to the sound of popping wood and the ruddy glow of the fire," she said.

"Already the flames were so high and bright we thought Mary Zootis's home at 239 was the one on fire," de Villa said. "We could hear Gail's panicked yelling, a terrible sound to wake up to!

"Michael threw on some shorts while calling 9-1-1 and ran out to the street to alert Mary Z.," deVilla added. "Only then did he realize the fire was from Steve and Gail Ryan's home."

Adams said Healdsburg firefighters and 35 to 40 neighboring firefighters with a total of 13 engines worked for hours to contain the fire to the two-story home, even though homes on three sides were threatened.

Firefighters managed to avoid any damage to the three neighboring homes -- but it was an uphill battle, Adams said.

"Upon arrival, the fire had spread into the residence, and firefighters encountered heavy fire involvement with flames visible on the first and second floor," Adams said. "The fire was difficult to extinguish due to the amount of fire involvement on both floors, the amount of personal items and concealed spaces in the structure."

One Healdsburg firefighter was treated at for a minor neck injury due to falling debris, and was released, Adams said.

A total of 13 engines responded, including those from Healdsburg, Geyserville, Windsor, Rincon Valley, Cloverdale, Santa Rosa and CalFire.

Owners of the home were able to find shelter with neighbors, according to an Albert Court resident.

Adams said fire inspectors may have a difficult time pinpointing the exact cause of the fire, although the barbecue on a wooden deck has several possible hazards.

"You can't have ashes falling on the wood, and you have to make sure the pan below doesn't overflow and you have to close the vents," Adams said. "If you put a barbecue on a wooden deck, it should be on a metal pan, not on the wood decking."

He said people should try to avoid putting a barbecue on a wooden deck if possible, and to aim for sitting barbecues away from a house, such as in a yard.