Accidental Commercial Fire Leaves $200K In Damages: Santa Rosa FD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A painting contractor's equipment, supplies and personal items were destroyed in a two-alarm fire early Friday in Santa Rosa. Crews with the Santa Rosa Fire Department responded at about 6:20 a.m. to the blaze in a commercial building at 1840 Burbank Ave. in the Roseland area, according SRFD Battalion Chief Matt Dahl.

"The first arriving unit reported seeing a glow in the sky and a large column of smoke as they responded," Dahl said.

Firefighters arrived in less than six minutes, Dahl said, and found a one-story metal building with fire and smoke issuing from the gaps around three large roll-up doors on the front of the building.

Because of heat damage to the metal building's components, crews were not able to access the roof to cut ventilation openings, Dahl said. Instead, firefighters quickly opened and cut the roll-up doors to access and attack the fire, he said.

Six engine crews, one heavy rescue, one support unit, two chief officers and two prevention officers responded to the fire that took about 20 minutes to bring under control.

"The building contained paint, tools and personal items that belonged to a painting contractor," Dahl said. "All the contents were damaged or destroyed by the smoke and flames."

The damage to the structure and contents was estimated to be $200,000, Dahl said.

Fire investigators determined the blaze was accidental in origin.

Rincon Valley Fire Department assisted SRFD with the incident.

Photo via Shutterstock