Early-Morning House Fire Causes $350K In Damage: Santa Rosa FD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A house fire early Sunday morning in south Santa Rosa destroyed about half of the home, the Santa Rosa Fire Department said.

The fire was reported at 5:30 a.m. and flames were coming from the front door and roof when firefighters arrived at the single-level home on Maureen Drive, SRFD Battalion Chief Matt Dahl said.

As more firefighters responded, crews entered the house with hoses to attack the fire and search for anyone inside.

No one was home when the fire broke out but the resident returned as crews were battling the flames.

Normally, firefighters would've climbed onto the roof and cut a ventilation opening but the fire burned into the attic and through the frame of the roof prior to the fire department's arrival, Dahl said.

"The firefighters inside the home faced high heat and heavy smoke as they completed their objectives but were able to bring the fire under control in 30 minutes," Dahl said.

Firefighters remained on the scene for another two hours to search for and extinguish fires that were hidden under smoldering materials.

Damages were estimated at $350,000. Half of the structure was destroyed and the rest of the home had major smoke and heat damage.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation, Dahl said.

Twenty-two fire personnel responded to the incident. Emergency personnel with the Sonoma County Fire District, Santa Rosa Police Department and PG&E were also at the scene.