A sudden explosion shook a two-story apartment building in Santa Rosa, catching the attention of neighbors and culminating in a rapid response by the local fire department. The incident occurred at 2:25 pm yesterday, with fire crews arriving in under four minutes to quell the blazing inferno that had engulfed the lower-floor apartment and threatened the lives and homes of the residents above. According to a Facebook post by the Santa Rosa Fire Department, the fire began in the backyard before spreading to both floors of the unit and into the attic above.
Firefighters extinguished the exterior fire and deployed hoses into the apartment building to tackle the flames that had broken through the first and second-floor sliding glass doors. Crews from a ladder truck scaled the roof to cut ventilation openings and assisted with interior firefighting operations. Their swift and decisive actions contained the blaze to the affected unit, protecting the other two apartments from serious damage.
A watchful neighbor alerted the occupants of the burning apartment, permitting their safe escape with their pets in tow. Due to their prompt evacuation, the three adults residing within the now-charred apartment avoided injury. The Red Cross is currently aiding the displaced residents in securing temporary housing and other essentials.
The remaining tenants of the other two apartments were allowed to return to their homes after the fire was brought under control in 20 minutes. Personnel searched all three apartments to confirm that no occupants had been left behind. The origin of the fire is under investigation, with the extensive damage estimated to be around $250,000.
