Rohnert Park House Fire Caused By Portable Air Pump, Officials Say

ROHNERT PARK, CA — Authorities believe a portable air pump ignited a fire Sunday that caused $200,000 in damage to a Rohnert Park home.

At 1:45 p.m. Sunday, a resident on Michael Way called to report a possible fire at their neighbor's home. The neighbor saw smoke coming from the roof and could hear an alarm going off.

A Gold Ridge Fire crew was first on the scene and confirmed there was smoke inside the structure and a small fire in the kitchen. Smoke was banked down to within a couple of feet of the floor and the entire second story was charged with smoke and high heat, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said.

Rohnert Park firefighters made the initial attack on the fire and were able to extinguish it quickly with assistance from Rancho Adobe Fire and Sonoma County Fire.

The fire appeared to have started on a desk that was situated underneath the stairs to the second floor. Upon initial investigation, it was determined that a portable air pump was charging on a desk underneath the stairs and caused the fire.

Damage to the residence from the fire and smoke was estimated at approximately $200,000.

Two residents were displaced by the blaze.

Rohnert Park DPS thanked its neighboring fire agencies — Rancho Adobe Fire, Sonoma County Fire, Gold Ridge Fire and Santa Rosa Fire — for their assistance.