Fire At Rite Aid Causes $200K In Damage, Santa Rosa FD Says

SANTA ROSA, CA — A fire broke out early Wednesday at a Santa Rosa Rite Aid store, leaving much of the store's retail area with smoke and water damage, the Santa Rosa Fire Department said.

At 12:04 a.m. Wednesday, the Santa Rosa Fire Department received multiple 911 calls about the debris fire Rite Aid, 955 Stony Point Road. Firefighters were at the scene in 4 minutes and found a pile of wood pallets and other items burning up against the back corner of the store, according to SRFD Battalion Chief Matthew Gloeckner.

"The fire had broken through exterior glass windows and doors and was spreading into the rear storage area of the building," Gloeckner said. "The fire had already extended to a nearby wood dumpster enclosure."

As firefighters initiated a quick and aggressive fire attack, a commercial gas meter for the building failed from heat from the fire.

"An ensuing intense natural gas fire caused additional challenges for fire crews," Gloeckner said. "Fire crews were able to extinguish the exterior fire and control the gas to the gas meter thus eliminating the natural gas fire."

The business was closed but crews forced their way into the back storage area and put out the flames. Fortunately, the building's fire sprinkler system activated and kept the storage area fire in check, Gloeckner said.

Firefighters searched the store for anyone inside but found no one.

"The entirety of the store was filled with smoke and firefighters used smoke blowers to remove smoke from the building," Gloeckner said. "Much of the retail business portion of the building suffered smoke and water damage."

Damage to the building and contents was estimated at $200,000.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

"No injuries were reported," Gloeckner said. "A working fire sprinkler system in the building prevented the fire from spreading throughout the store and prevented an even greater fire loss."