2-Alarm House Fire Causes $200K In Damages: Petaluma FD

PETALUMA, CA — One person suffered smoke inhalation from a structure fire Thursday that caused $200,000 to a home on East Washington Street in Petaluma.

Firefighters responded to the 800 block of East Washington at 4:42 p.m. when someone across the street from the two-story, single-family home reported it was on fire, Petaluma Fire Marshal Jessica Power said.

The front of the home was heavily involved in fire so a second alarm for additional firefighters was called at 4:44 p.m., Power said.

The incident prompted Petaluma police to put out a traffic alert. Police advised motorists to stay away from East Washington Street between Payran and Ellis streets.

Petaluma FD's ladder truck crew cut ventilation holes in the roof, helping bring the fire under control within 35 minutes.

"Quick notification by an alert neighbor and a quick response by fire department personnel limited the damage to approximately $200,000," Power said.

"It was determined that the fire started on the interior of the residence, and possibly spread quicker than normal with the wind occurring at the time of the fire, however the exact cause is still under investigation," she said.

One resident was home at the time of the fire but was not injured. However, an employee of a nearby business was taken by ambulance to a hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The home was red-tagged when PG&E shut off the gas and electric.

Rancho Adobe Fire, Sonoma Valley Fire and North Bay Fire provided station coverage to ensure the city was protected during the incident.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.