Fire Causes 'Significant Damage' to Novato Home

Marin County, CA — A fire broke out in a two-story Novato home Wednesday evening, destroying a vehicle and causing significant damage, displacing two residents, fire officials said.

The garage and second floor of a house in the 1500 block of Buchanan Street — near Novato High School —were engulfed in flames when the first firefighting engine crews arrived, according to Battalion Chief Dmitri Menzel of the Novato Fire District.

The fire was first reported by a neighbor who called 911 at 6:54 p.m. and a second alarm for more crews was issued at 7:05 p.m., according to Novato Fire District Public Information Officer Sandy Wargo.

The home's smoke alarm was activated and two residents who were home at the time of the fire were able safely escape without injury, according to Wargo and Menzel.

A vehicle parked in the garage was completely damaged due to the fire, Wargo said.

Thirty firefighters from Novato, San Rafael and Marinwood knocked down the two-alarm blaze within 30 minutes.

"Firefighters did an excellent job quickly containing and extinguishing the fire and preventing its spread to the neighboring houses," Menzel said, noting that no firefighters were injured.

As of 9:30 p.m., Novato fire investigators remained on scene, working to identify the cause of the fire, according to Menzel.

Thursday morning, Wargo said the fire remained under investigation but that it was not believed to have been intentionally set.

***Updated at 11:15 a.m. Pacific Time on July 14, 2016; Originally posted at 9:55 p.m. Pacific Time, July 13, 2016.***

(Photo via Novato Fire District)