Fire Erupts At Petaluma Business

PETALUMA, CA — Firefighters were able to stop a fire that broke out late Saturday inside a Petaluma business suite from spreading to other units in a Liberty Street strip mall, a Petaluma Fire Department official said. The suite — one of eight in a commercial structure at 131 Liberty St. — was fully involved in flames when crews arrived at 11:45 p.m. Saturday, Petaluma fire Battalion Chief Mike Medeiros said in a news release.

The fire was reported by citizens who saw the flames as they were walking to their car nearby, Medeiros said. The blaze was initially thought to be at the Phoenix Theater; however, it was tracked to the strip mall about a block away, he said.

"One pedestrian knocked on the doors of the adjacent businesses to ensure they were not occupied," Medeiros said. "Several doors down one business was occupied and the occupant was able to exit the building safely prior to the Fire Department's arrival."

Responding engine crews found fire coming from a skylight and the front door and windows of the business.

Firefighters from Petaluma, Rancho Adobe Fire and Cal Fire quickly attacked the blaze and brought it under control within 20 minutes, sparing the neighboring units, Medeiros said.

No injuries were reported in the fire, the cause of which was under investigation.

During the incident, crews from Wilmar, Lakeville and Sonoma Valley Fire covered other calls for service in the city, Medeiros said.

Photo via Petaluma Fire Department