Rohnert Park Garage Fire Caused By Model T Explosion

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A recently restored Model T car exploded in the garage of a Rohnert Park home early Wednesday, causing a fire that left the home uninhabitable. The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety got a 911 call at 6:47 a.m. Wednesday about the explosion in the garage at 4500 Fairway Drive.

Rohnert Park firefighters were on scene within three minutes and got to work extinguishing the fire. Crews from the Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District, Sonoma County Fire District, and the Santa Rosa Fire Department also responded to assist with putting the fire out.

Crws contained the fire to the garage within 20 minutes.

A husband and wife who live at the home self-evacuated prior to firefighters' arrival and did not suffer any injuries.

Although the fire did not spread into the living quarters of the home, the city's building official red-tagged the residence.

The resident told public safety officials they smelled gasoline coming from the garage and then noticed fuel leaking underneath their recently restored Model T.

A short time later, the residents heard an explosion in the garage.

The Rohnert Park fire investigator's preliminary investigation was consistent with physical evidence at the scene and with the residents’ statement.

Total damage to the home and property had not yet been determined midday Wednesday.