Dollar Tree Building Damaged In Fire From Homeless Encampment: SRFD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A fire spread from a Santa Rosa homeless encampment to a retail building early Tuesday morning, producing a large column of smoke and prompting several 911 calls, the Santa Rosa Fire Department said.

The first call came in at 6:11 a.m. Tuesday about the structure fire near the intersection of Sebastopol Road and Stony Point Road, according to SRFD Division Chief Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal.

"A large column of smoke was visible and prompted several additional reports of the fire," Lowenthal said. "The first arriving unit located an exterior fire to the rear of the Dollar Tree (next to FoodMaxx). The fire involved a homeless encampment, multiple wooden pallets, and a cargo container."

Two engine crews worked to extinguish the fire while additional firefighters checked the roof of the Dollar Tree and inside the store.

The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes. There was damage to the building's exterior and to a storage container that was primarily used to house a golf-cart-style security vehicle, Lowenthal said.

Firefighters remained at the scene for another 30 minutes to fully extinguish and cool the debris and contents of the cargo container.

Clean-up costs were estimated at $15,000.

"The fire originated in the homeless encampment, but the exact cause is undetermined at this time and remains under investigation," Lowenthal said.