Illegal Fireworks Suspected in Fire at Glen Manor

in the Glen Manor apartment building at 6930 Commerce Blvd. Monday, July 4 was likely ignited by illegal fireworks, a preliminary investigation has revealed, said Fire Marshal Dan Adam in a news release Tuesday night.

The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety received a rash of 911 calls from residents and concerned citizens near Arlen Drive and Commerce Boulevard around 4:30 p.m. yesterday, according to Lt. Jeff Taylor, a spokesperson for the department. 

"When public safety units arrived they reported smoke and flames from the roof, and immediately began evacuations," Adam said. "Some of the families in the 12 units self evacuated. The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety evacuated the rest without a single injury to residents."

Adam said he contacted witnesses from several adjacent apartment buildings, who reported seeing “loud, explosive, aerial fireworks, with bright flashes” in close proximity of the structure fire.

While it's unclear where exactly the fire originated, Adam said several witnesses reported seeing the fire burning from the roof of the apartment building first.

"When we arrived on scene, the roof was engulfed in flames," Taylor said yesterday.

Adam said the illegal fireworks could have been bottle rockets.

Public safety officials are still searching for additional information. Anyone who saw or heard anything is urged to contact the public safety department, detective division at 707-584-2630. The building owner's insurance company and private fire investigators are currently assisting in the investigation.

The Fourth of July blaze was the in Rohnert Park this year. A fire that demolished the back side of the Budget Inn Feb. 9 .

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