Fire damages Windsor home, kills dog

<p>Fire investigators Sunday were combing through the crawlspace of a Windsor couple's home where fire ignited to determine what sparked the weekend blaze, which filled the home with smoke and killed a dog, fire officials said.</p><p>A neighbor and a jogger reported smoke pouring from vents in the roof and at the base of the Vinecrest Road house at about 2:50 p.m. Saturday near Foothill Regional Park, said Mike Elson, acting battalion chief with Central Fire.</p><p>Heavy smoke filled the home when crews arrived, and after ventilating the home, firefighters pinpointed the blaze to the crawlspace under the first floor, Elson said.</p><p>One dog had escaped but the other animal apparently succumbed to heat and smoke, Elson said.</p><p>It took nearly an hour for the crews to cut through tile and cherrywood floors to access the fire, Elson said.</p><p>Flames spread into the kitchen and garage before crews from Windsor, Rincon Valley, Healdsburg and Santa Rosa controlled and put out the fire. A firefighter injured an ankle during the effort.</p><p>Elson estimated the home sustained at least $300,000 in damage. Family and neighbors were helping the displaced couple.</p><p>-- Julie Johnson</p>