Fire causes about $100,000 in damage to Santa Rosa residential storage barn

A residential storage barn in southwest Santa Rosa was heavily damaged by a Wednesday night fire that caused no injuries but drew a large response from local agencies.

The structure fire, reported by multiple callers about 10:10 p.m., was in the 2000 block of Burbank Avenue near Liana Drive.

Responding firefighters found a single-story metal-clad building with an attached living room space engulfed in flames and requested further assistance, Division Chief Anthony Westergaard said in a news release.

Crews, including six fire engines and two trucks, got the flames under control in about 30 minutes. They cleaned up the scene and extinguished hot spots for several hours.

The building sustained significant smoke, heat and fire damage, estimated at about $100,000, officials said.

The attached unit, which was used by the owner as a lounge space, had fire and smoke damage, Division Chief Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal said Thursday.

Fire officials did not indicate whether the unit was occupied at the time.

The fire appeared to have been started on accident by a portable propane heater intended for outdoor use, though an investigation is ongoing, Lowenthal said.

The Sonoma County Fire District assisted in the response.

You can reach Staff Writer Madison Smalstig at madison.smalstig@pressdemocrat.com. On X, formerly Twitter, @madi.smals.