Daughter Admits Starting Petaluma House Fire, Official Says

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma grandmother and five of her family members were displaced Wednesday night by a fire at the woman's home allegedly started by one her daughters, authorities said. The fire in the 520 block of Albert Way — near Ely Boulevard South and E. Washington Street — was reported at 7:07 p.m. and when firefighters arrived smoke was coming from the front door of the home, Petaluma Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff Holden said in a news release.

The first arriving engine company determined the flames were coming from a front bedroom and were able to extinguish the fire, Holden said. To alleviate smoke from the attic and inside the house, firefighters cut a hole in the roof, Holden added.

Nine engine crews in total were dispatched to the fire, and it was declared contained at 7:22 p.m.

All occupants of the home — a grandmother, her son, her two daughters and one of the daughter's two children — made it out of the home safely, Holden said.

As authorities spoke with the family, one of the woman's daughters who reportedly has a history of drug use allegedly admitted to starting the fire. She was transported to a hospital for mental and medical evaluation, Holden said.

No injuries were reported in the fire.

Damages to the home were estimated at $20,000, with another $15,000 worth of contents lost to the fire, according to Holden.

"Smoke damage throughout the home will need to be cleaned up prior to the family returning home," Holden said. "In the meantime, the family will be staying with another family member close by."

Exactly how the fire was started will be investigated by the fire prevention bureau, the battalion chief said.

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