Barbecue ash determined to be cause of east Santa Rosa house fire

A pre-dawn house fire in east Santa Rosa that badly damaged a home Tuesday and burned an RV started from hot ashes placed in a plastic garbage bin, according to a Santa Rosa fire official Wednesday.

The Evening Way fire caused about $200,000 in damage and displaced a family of five and their dog.

Santa Rosa fire inspector Sam Lashley said an investigation determined the father had burned some papers in a barbecue then later put the ashes into a bag and moved them to the bin. Heat from the ashes caused the bin to catch fire, which spread to a wooden fence and the nearby RV. A popping RV tire sounded like an explosion, awakening the neighborhood.

One neighbor told firefighters he’d come out to see what had happened and found the front of the RV burning, with flames starting to spread to the two-story home, Lashley said.

Most of the damage was to the outside of the home. There was smoke damage inside, and firefighters threw protective covers over furniture and personal belongings, he said.

Fire officials use such fires as a cautionary tale, as ashes can stay hot for some time. They should be soaked to make sure they are completely out before being tossed. Metal containers also are recommended.

Evening Way is near St. Francis Road and Highway 12.

You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com.