Santa Rosa fire prompts evacuation of school, residential care facility

A grass and brush fire in the Roseland area of Santa Rosa threatened several homes and prompted the evacuation of a residential care facility on Tuesday afternoon, according to Santa Rosa fire officials.

The 2:05 p.m. blaze started in a field behind Roseland Creek Elementary School on Burbank Avenue but spread west toward Comalli Street, where it burned through wooden fencing and threatened two homes, Battalion Chief Matt Dahl said.

It also burned south toward St. Francis Residential Care, where elderly residents were evacuated because of the abundance of smoke.

The roof of a barn-like building out front caught fire, though most of the structure was saved, Dahl said.

A resident who complained of smoke inhalation was treated at the scene while crews spread out to protect houses, battle the barn fire and douse vegetation. There were no serious injuries or other major damage, which was estimated at $10,000, Dahl said.

Children from the nearby school were released early for the day during the fire, though it was under control in 30 minutes. The cause of the blaze remained under investigation Tuesday night, Dahl said.