On the tail end of a warm three-day Memorial Weekend, "the Santa Rosa Fire Department received multiple calls for a house on fire. The first engine arrived in 4 minutes and found smoke visible from the roof vents and rear of a one-story home. The fire started on the exterior of the house and was spreading to the interior and attic of the building. Additional units were requested to assist with the fire attack. Firefighters simultaneously attacked the exterior fire and entered the home to attack the interior fire and search for occupants. Crews from the ladder truck went to the roof and cut openings to release the smoke and heat from the attic. The residents were not home when the fire started but returned while personnel were extinguishing the fire.
The fire was determined to be accidental and started from improperly discarded ashes from a BBQ earlier in the day. Damage to the structure was estimated to be $150,000."
Suggestions from Santa Rosa's fire department for anyone disposing of BBQ or fire ashes:
- Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them.
- Place ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from the home and any other buildings.
- Never empty the ashes directly into a trash can. Pour water on the ashes.