Yesterday, as smoke billowed from the sixth floor of the still-unfinished Hall of Justice on the Sonoma County Administration Campus, fire crews raced against time to avert a potential catastrophe. According to a report from the Santa Rosa Fire Department, a fire had broken out and was visible from both the sixth floor and the roof, prompting an urgent response that included 6 engines, 2 ladder trucks, 2 chief officers, and 2 fire investigators.
The first engine arrived at the scene at 600 Administration Dr. in less than five minutes. An immediate challenge was presented to the firefighters: despite the incomplete construction of the building, they were required to quickly make their way up to locate and extinguish the fire. The responders were met with flames from a plastic debris bin on the roof. The fire, fueled by improperly disposed materials, had managed to catch onto wooden construction elements and spread to the floor below. A total of 34 fire personnel at the scene worked together to mitigate the incident.
The crews implemented a strategic attack that involved both internal and external efforts. Inside, firefighters utilized the building's standpipe to stretch hose lines to the fire's location. Simultaneously, crews on the outside attacked the flames from above using a fixed nozzle atop the extended ladder of an aerial apparatus. The fire was under control within 30 minutes of their arrival.
The scene remained active with firefighters for an hour following the fire's extinguishment as they searched for hot spots and worked to confirm the environment was safe. The assisting agencies included the Sonoma County Fire District, Santa Rosa Police Department, Medic Ambulance, and PG&E. While an official cause is yet to be announced, the initial investigation has indicated the fire's accidental start due to the materials left in the debris bin.
