Dog Killed In Duplex Fire, 6 Others Spared

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A house fire Sunday in Santa Rosa claimed the life of a dog and caused $150,000 in damage.

Firefighters responded shortly before 2:30 p.m. to the blaze at a duplex in the 600 block of Cordelia Drive, near Howarth Park. Callers reported that the kitchen was on fire, Santa Rosa Fire Department Battalion Chief Jason Jenkins said.

The first fire unit was on the scene in under four minutes to find the single-story duplex with significant fire showing. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack and the ladder truck crew cut holes in the roof to assist with fire control.

While searching inside the unit, firefighters found an unresponsive small adult dog.

"Efforts to revive the dog were unsuccessful," Jenkins said. "However, due to the quick action of the residents inside the home when the fire broke out, they were able to safely remove six other dogs, most of which were puppies."

The fire was brought under control in 20 minutes. Firefighters remained at the scene for nearly two hours afterward, conducting overhaul and extinguishment.

The blaze destroyed all contents inside the duplex while the attached unit only had minor smoke damage, Jenkins said.

The cause of the blaze was determined to be an accidental kitchen fire. An investigation was continuing.

"It is important to mention that the home's smoke detectors alerted the occupants," Jenkins said. "The occupants will be assisted by the Red Cross."