Woman found dead in Santa Rosa duplex fire; dog rescued from home

A woman was found dead in a duplex in eastern Santa Rosa where firefighters extinguished a blaze Tuesday night.

The fire at 10 Knolls Lane near Bennett Valley Road was reported at 7:41 p.m., Santa Rosa Fire Battalion Chief Jason Jenkins said. About 20 firefighters and four engines responded and put out the fire in about 20 minutes.

Joy Flatebo, 64, was discovered by firefighters and pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

It was unclear Wednesday if Flatebo died in the fire, officials said. There were no signs of trauma or foul play, Santa Rosa police said in a Nixle alert. The cause of death is still under investigation.

The fire was likely caused by faulty wiring in the attic space of the duplex, police said. Authorities do not suspect the blaze, which caused an estimated $100,000 in damage, was set intentionally.

Firefighters were able to mostly contain the fire to the unit in which they found Flatebo, Jenkins said.

An unconscious dog also was discovered in the unit. The animal was revived and taken to an emergency veterinarian.

You can reach Staff Writer Ethan Varian at ethan.varian@pressdemocrat.com or 707-521-5412. On Twitter @ethanvarian