Two Santa Rosa house fires cause a combined $250,000 in damage

An elderly Santa Rosa man escaped serious harm Thursday night after firefighters battled through thick smoke to find him asleep in his burning home, apparently unaware of the danger he faced. It was the second destructive house fire Santa Rosa firefighters knocked down Thursday.

The rescue happened after flames were reported outside a Frederick Street home about 10:43 p.m. Firefighters arrived four minutes later to find flames outside the one-story house spreading into the home’s attic over its garage and living spaces, the fire department said. Neighbors told firefighters that the home’s only occupant was an elderly man who they had not yet seen outside.

Facing thick smoke upon entering the building, firefighters eventually found the elderly man asleep in a bedroom, where they woke him before taking him outside and treating him for minor smoke inhalation. He was transported to a local emergency room for additional treatment. His home had no working smoke detectors, fire officials said.

Damage from that fire, the cause of which remains under investigation, is estimated at $150,000.

The first fire was reported about 1:54 p.m. on Jenifer Court. When firefighters arrived they could see the flames stretching up to the attic above the home’s garage, according to the Santa Rosa Fire Department.

Crews outside and inside the home were able to bring the fire under control and prevent flames from spreading into the living area. Investigators determined the cause of the fire, which resulted in about $100,000 in damage, was electrical. No one was injured.

You can reach Staff Writer J.D. Morris at 707-521-5337 or jd.morris@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @thejdmorris.