Fire destroys Sebastopol house, displaces 10 people

Ten people were displaced following a fire Wednesday night in Sebastopol that destroyed a house on Gravenstein Highway, damaged three others and caused about $750,000 in total damage, according to firefighters.

The Sebastopol Fire Department was dispatched about 11:15 p.m. to reports of a fire in the back of a property on the 6900 block of Redwood Avenue, according to a news release from Sebastopol Fire.

When firefighters arrived on scene, the blaze had spread to two houses on Redwood Avenue and two houses and Launch, a clothing store, on Gravenstein Highway.

The fire also destroyed three or four vehicles in a carport at one of the houses on Gravenstein Highway, according to fire officials.

Multiple bottles of gasoline in the backyard of the house that was destroyed helped accelerate the blaze, Sebastopol Fire Capt. Jack Piccinini said.

Thirty firefighters worked to extinguish the flames and were able to contain the fire within 45 minutes. They stayed at the scene extinguishing hot spots until about 4:15 a.m., Piccinini said.

The firefighters were able to prevent the flames from spreading into Launch, a restaurant and three other attached duplex units, according to the release.

Launch experienced some damage to an exterior wall and at least $1,000 in smoke damage to clothes in the store, said owner Nica Rice. Also, firefighters damaged one of the front doors when they forced entry to attempt to prevent flames from entering the business.

The store was still able to open Thursday morning.

There were no injuries.

The Gold Ridge Fire District, Graton Fire Department, Santa Rosa Fire Department and Occidental Fire Department also responded to the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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