Neighbor alerts Rohnert Park residents to chimney fire, helps them escape

After spotting flames his neighbor’s chimney, an alert Rohnert Park resident woke them up, helped them escape and called firefighters who quickly doused the blaze Saturday night.

The fire was reported at 10:38 p.m. The first emergency unit arrived within four minutes, finding the outside of the chimney on fire and flames spreading inside the home in the 1300 block of Marigold Way, Rohnert Park Public Safety Cmdr. Aaron Johnson said in a news release.

The fire was brought under control in 15 minutes and was limited to the chimney and living room, he said. Crews from the Rohnert Park, Rancho Adobe, Rincon Valley and Santa Rosa fire departments responded to the blaze.

The homeowner told firefighters his family had a fire going in the fireplace earlier in the evening, Johnson said. The cause remains under investigation.

There was no estimate of the damages.

- Guy Kovner