Discarded Smoking Materials Caused Rohnert Park Fire

ROHNERT PARK - A fire Wednesday night on the rear deck of a residence in northeast Rohnert Park was caused by discarded smoking materials in a garbage can, a Department of Public Safety commander said.

The fire caused an estimated $35,000 in damage to the structure of the home and its contents, Cmdr. Aaron Johnson said.

Firefighters from the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety and the Rancho Adobe and Rincon Valley fire protection districts responded around 9 p.m. to the fire in the 4300 block of Goodson Way, Johnson said.

The residents tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher and garden hose, but the five family members were still forced to evacuate.

Their quick action and the coordinated efforts of the police and fire personnel kept the damage to a minimum, Johnson said.

The fire on the rear deck spread to a family room adjacent to the kitchen.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze within five minutes of arrival, according to Johnson.

The family, which includes two children under 14 years old, found housing at a local hotel, Johnson said.

-Bay City News, image via ShutterStock