Laundry Room Fire Hits Rohnert Park Home

ROHNERT PARK-COTATI, CA — Firefighters stopped a laundry room fire from spreading through a Rohnert Park home Friday evening, but damage to the electrical system and smoke throughout the residence left the home uninhabitable.

The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety received a report of a possible structure fire at a home on Maria Place at approximately 7:27 p.m. on Aug. 21.

A nearby neighbor reported seeing black smoke coming from the home's exterior dryer vent and hearing a fire alarm sounding.

RPDPS fire engines responded along with engines from the Sonoma County Fire District. The first engine arrived at approximately 7:32 p.m., and crews found a fire in the home's laundry room.

Firefighters quickly contained the flames to the laundry room and prevented the fire from spreading to the rest of the residence.

Investigators believe an electrical issue involving a fan in the laundry room may have started the fire, although the cause remains under investigation.

Damage was primarily limited to the laundry room and was estimated at approximately $20,000.

However, damage to the home's electrical system and smoke damage throughout the residence prompted officials to red-tag the home. The residence will require further inspection before anyone can occupy it.

The American Red Cross offered aid to the resident, but the resident declined the assistance.