Fire destroys Santa Rosa garage, displaces five

A west Santa Rosa garage fire Tuesday morning destroyed the garage and a restored old pickup inside and displaced five residents.

The Lance Drive fire was reported at 5:35 a.m.

Santa Rosa fire Battalion Chief Mark Basque said arriving firefighters found the garage ablaze and heavy smoke throughout the home.

Four engines, one ladder truck and 18 firefighters responded. They held the fire to the garage and had it under control at 5:59 a.m., according to emergency dispatch reports.

Items lost included a restored 1954 Ford pickup. The house and belongings had serious smoke damage.

Five residents had gotten out before firefighters arrived. Two people were treated by Sonoma Life Support paramedics for smoke inhalation.

The Red Cross also responded and was helping the residents with temporary aid.

An investigation into the cause was underway but Basque said the fire appeared to be accidental.

He estimated the loss and damage at about $125,000.