Santa Rosa man burned trying to put out house fire

A Rincon Valley resident who attempted to extinguish a fire in his home Tuesday suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation, according to a Central Fire official.

Fire investigators Wednesday were looking into the cause of the fire. It apparently started in a bedroom, damaging the room and spreading smoke and heat issues throughout the Fairway Court residence.

Central Fire Battalion Chief Joe Giordani estimated the damage at about $60,000, mainly to the bedroom.

Firefighters were called at about 4:50 p.m. to the east Santa Rosa residential court off of Highway 12. A Santa Rosa fire engine from Calistoga Road arrived in five minutes and found flames in the bedroom and smoke in the home. Santa Rosa, Rincon Valley and Kenwood fire agencies responded, stopping the flames from spreading beyond the bedroom.

When firefighters arrived the injured man stood out front. He had attempted to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher and had burns to his arms, Giordani said. He was treated by paramedics and taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

The man and his mother reside at the home.

You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter@rossmannreport.