Two-alarm blaze damages Santa Rosa home

A vacant home for sale in east Santa Rosa caught fire early Monday and flames burned a significant portion of the two-story home, according to a Santa Rosa fire official.

The Hahman Drive home - just across the street from Montgomery High School - suffered about $100,000 damage, Santa Rosa Fire Battalion Chief Mike Jones said.

A 911 call at 3:37 a.m. reported flames at the residence.

The first Santa Rosa fire engine arrived five minutes later and reported flames engulfing the home. A closer look showed the front portion and a carport was on fire, but not a second floor addition toward the back, Jones said.

It was storming at the time, with rain falling and erratic winds pushing the flames. Firefighters found cable and phone lines down, probably broken by the winds, Jones said.

Flames were threatening a neighboring property but firefighters got a hose on it and damage was held to minor charring and heat damage to a fence.

Fire officials sounded a second alarm at 3:52 a.m., seeking additional help as a precaution, Jones said. That call brought additional Santa Rosa firefighters and a Rincon Valley air support truck.

Neighbors told firefighters the house was for sale. There were no furnishings inside.

The fire started in the front portion of the home.

Fire investigator Scott Moon said the cause was undetermined, but there were some paints and stains inside the home that may have caught fire, he said. The owners hadn’t been reached as of Monday night for more information.