Santa Rosa house fire causes an estimated $150,000 damage

The cause of the Fenwick Drive blaze is under investigation but it appears to have started on a work bench in the garage, according to a fire official.|
COLIN ATAGI
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A fire was contained after damaging a home in Santa Rosa Tuesday afternoon. Most of the damage was to the garage, with the living area sustaining only minor smoke damage, officials said.

There were no injuries. One resident was home at the time of the fire and was able to escape with a dog before firefighters arrived, said Santa Rosa Fire Battalion Chief Jason Jenkins.

The fire was reported just after 1:30 p.m. on Fenwick Drive in the western part of the city, according to Jenkins.

A plume of smoke from the blaze could be seen across northern Santa Rosa.

Footage from the scene showed the fire burning the garage.

*Update: Structure Fire - Fenwick Drive* At 1:36pm, Santa Rosa Fire responded to a reported structure fire on Fenwick Drive on the west side of Santa Rosa. During our response we were advised of multiple 911 callers reporting the fire. The first fire units arrived within five minutes and found a single-story home with heavy smoke and fire coming from the garage area of the home. Additional fire engines were requested upon arrival due to the large volume of fire and threat to nearby homes. The first arriving engine worked to knock fire down between homes, while additional crews attacked the fire in the garage area and searched for any possible victims. Crews worked to save interior belongings while the ladder truck cut a hole in the roof to vent heat and smoke from the attic. Most of the fire was knocked down within ten minutes. The home sustained major damage to the garage, as a portion of the roof collapsed, however crews were able to keep the fire from extending into the living area of the home. The living area sustained minor smoke damage only. Nearly all the interior contents of the home were saved using covers to protect belongings. The fire was brought under control in approximately thirty minutes. The home was occupied at the time of the fire by one of the residents who smelled smoke and then found a fire in the garage. The resident was able to get himself and dog out of the house prior to our arrival. Red Cross will be assisting the three occupants who lived at the address. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation; however, the fire did appear to have started on a work bench in the garage and was most likely related to charging of batteries. Damage is estimated to be $150,000. There were no injuries related to the fire. 5 Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, 1 Battalion Chief and 3 Fire Investigators were assigned.

Posted by City of Santa Rosa Fire Department on Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Crew members on five fire engines and a ladder truck responded to the blaze. Firefighters were able to save nearly all the contents of the home by using covers to protect belongings, Jenkins said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but it appears to have started on a work bench in the garage, said Jenkins.

Damage was estimated at $150,000. Jenkins said.

You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @colin_atagi

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