Fire destroys building, big rig at Santa Rosa trucking company

Oil-soaked rags, likely used for staining, were the apparent cause of a fire that gutted a building at a Fulton trucking company in northern Santa Rosa early Wednesday, according to Rincon Valley fire officials.

The fire, at the Hansen Transport shop at River and Fulton roads, burned a big rig parked inside and resulted in an estimated $300,000 loss in property, said Rincon Valley Fire Chief Jack Piccinini.

The fire was reported just before 1 a.m. Firefighters from the nearby Larkfield station arrived to find flames engulfing the estimated 5,000-square-foot shop, said Rincon Valley Fire Capt. Neil Nicholson. Cal Fire, Windsor and Santa Rosa fire agencies also responded.

An office in the building and a second vehicle parked nearby also burned, Nicholson said.

The fire was under control in 33 minutes, according to the dispatch log. Crews were at the property until about 3 a.m.

Firefighters found the linseed oil and rags after putting out the fire, Piccinini said.