Petaluma Fairgrounds Structure Fire Threatens Large Barn

PETALUMA, CA — A worker heard a popping sound and then saw flames coming from a building in a structure fire Thursday at the Petaluma Fairgrounds, an official with the Petaluma Fire Department said.

Shortly before 5 p.m., the worker and several others called 911 and reported a large structure fire was burning at the Fairgrounds located at 175 Fairgrounds Drive.

The Petaluma Fire Department upgraded the call to a working fire which triggered a response from additional units from Rancho Adobe Fire District and Sonoma Valley Fire to the call and to cover Petaluma fire stations.

Petaluma firefighters were on the scene in under five minutes and found a storage room attached to a large open livestock barn fully involved in fire and extending into the large barn.

"The first arriving engine was able to quickly knock down the fire and prevent further spread into the large barn," said Jessica Power, a fire marshal and battalion chief with the Petaluma Fire Department.

The worker who heard the popping sound and first reported the fire alerted other workers in the area, some of whom called 911 and some who attempted to put out the fire with strategically mounted fire extinguishers on the Fairgrounds property. Power said three extinguishers were used in their attempts to slow the fire's spread.

The Petaluma Fire Prevention Bureau responded and was investigating the fire's cause, which appeared accidental upon initial findings.

The Petaluma Building Department worked with investigators to ensure structural safety.

"We are happy to report that no one was injured during this incident and would like to remind our residents of the importance of always having fire extinguishers ready and available in their businesses and homes," Power said.

The Petaluma Fire Department thanked the Petaluma Police and Building departments for responding and providing support.

"Additionally, we would like to acknowledge and thank our surrounding fire partners for their assistance during the incident and for providing station coverage — responding to other emergencies in our City while Petaluma crews were mitigating this incident," Power said.