Fire Causes $600K in Damages to Fairfax Home

Fairfax, CA — The cause of a two-alarm structure fire Sunday in Fairfax was determined to be accidental spontaneous combustion of oily rags and linseed oil, according to the Ross Valley Fire Department.

It took 27 firefighters from Ross Valley, Marin County Fire, San Rafael Fire and Kentfield Fire more than an hour to put out the massive blaze that was reported at 7:37 p.m. Sunday at 224 Ridgeway Road, Ross Valley fire officials said in a statement Tuesday.

As the first responding fire engines were en route, they reported seeing heavy fire and smoke, according to the statement.

A second alarm requesting backup was issued when the first engine crew arrived and found the rear of the structure was heavily involved in fire, with flames spreading inside the residence, officials said.

Crews had to withdraw from their initial aggressive attack of the fire inside the home when conditions became too extreme and fire progressed.

Firefighters continued to battle the blaze from outside the home until it was safe to re-enter and resume attacking the interior flames.

Eight fire engines, two paramedic units, and three battalion chiefs responded to the fire that resulted in an estimated $600,oo0 worth of damages to the residence, officials said.

The fire was brought under control by 8:55 p.m. with no injuries to civilians, pets or firefighters, according to the statement.