Security Guard Rescues People From Fire In North Bay: FD

SAN RAFAEL, CA — An aggressive structure fire ripped through a single-story duplex in San Rafael early Monday morning, but a nearby security guard helped two women safely evacuate before fire crews could enter.

At around 2:09 a.m. on Monday, San Rafael firefighters were dispatched to 637 Mission Ave. following reports of an active structure fire with people still inside.

Prior to the arrival of first responders, a local security guard who was posted nearby heard calls for help emanating from the building.

The guard immediately entered the unit through a back door and located two women inside the burning residence. He successfully assisted both women out of the building to safety, officials said.

The director of patrol operations for Barbier Security Group, Elizabeth Ramirez, said they security officer involved in the rescue was Arnie Meineke Poe.

"While on patrol nearby, he heard a resident calling for help, responded immediately, and was able to carry an elderly woman to safety prior to the arrival of first responders," Ramirez said. "We are very proud of his actions, and he is doing well. We will be formally recognizing him with an award tomorrow for his courage and quick response."

First-arriving fire crews found a well-involved fire, but confirmed that the occupants were already out. They quickly initiated an aggressive fire attack while other firefighters and paramedics assessed the two women at the scene.

They were uninjured, officials said.

Firefighters successfully confined the blaze to the front of one unit of the building, preventing the spread to a vacant adjacent unit. The fire was declared under control at 2:39 a.m..

The involved unit suffered major damage, and the Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the two tenants with alternative housing.

Additionally, the Marin Humane Society was requested to care for the tenants’ cats, who were also uninjured.

The Marin County Fire Investigation Team is investigating the cause of the fire, which is currently undetermined.

San Rafael Police, PG&E, and a full Second Alarm response of fire resources were assigned to the incident.