Yesterday, a kitchen mishap led to a fire that resulted in the displacement of five residents of San Rafael. Battalion Chief Paul Bernard oversaw the response to the blaze that broke out at an apartment complex located at 110-120 Larkspur St. According to the City of San Rafael's official report, the fire department was dispatched at 4:40 p.m. and battled the fire for one hour and 33 minutes.
Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke billowing from a first-floor unit and had to carry out an aggressive attack to control the flames, which had spread to the overhead cabinets. The fire, confirmed to be caused by cooking, was successfully contained to the kitchen area. While the residents of the blazing unit have been relocated to stay with relatives, the others returned to their homes after the fire was extinguished and the area was deemed safe.
No injuries were reported from the incident, which is fortunate considering the potential for harm in such situations. Damage estimates are still pending. Yet the efficiency of the firefighters kept the situation from escalating, ensuring that the fire did not spread beyond the kitchen. The American Red Cross is involved, offering aid to those affected by the fire.
