Residents of a single-family home at 3740 Alta Vista Ave, Santa Rosa, were left to deal with the aftermath of a devastating fire that tore through their residence yesterday afternoon. The Santa Rosa Fire Department was dispatched at 15:02 after receiving reports of a structure fire that, according to overhead visuals from a Sonoma County Sheriff’s Helicopter, was quickly spreading to surrounding vegetation.
The first unit arrived on the scene in under six minutes, only to discover a large family home with significant fire visibly raging from the rear. They were swiftly joined by additional units as a second alarm was raised, aiming to rapidly contain the structure fire and prevent the spread to adjacent areas. An account detailed on the City of Santa Rosa's official website states that firefighters worked to prevent the fire from reaching a nearby home by deploying hose lines on the side of the affected dwelling.
While some units focused on defending neighboring structures, others entered the blaze-engulfed home. Inside, they were met with heavy fire and dense smoke. According to the same source, the fight against the inferno was compounded by a well-established attic fire, necessitating the intervention of a ladder truck for roof ventilation efforts. This multi-faceted strategy helped bring the fire under control within approximately 45 minutes, but crews remained on site for nearly three hours to ensure a thorough overhaul and extinguishment.
The damages have been extensive, with estimates of around $400,000.00 for repairs. The two adults and one child who lived in the home are receiving assistance from the Red Cross. With the cause of the fire still under scrutiny, two Fire Investigators have been tasked to work to determine its origin diligently. Meanwhile, the local community and assisting agencies, including the Sonoma County Fire Department (SCFD), Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD), PG&E, and Red Cross, have rallied to provide support during this loss and recovery.
