‘Suspicious’ Blaze Damages San Rafael Home

SAN RAFAEL, CA — A structure fire that did extensive damage to a San Rafael home Tuesday is being investigated as a suspicious incident, authorities said.

No injuries were reported in connection with the fire that burned through the single-family dwelling and no additional structures were involved, the San Rafael Fire Department said in a news release.

The blaze at 217 1st St. was contained about 20 minutes after it was first reported at 8:20 a.m., the agency said.

“The cause of the fire is considered suspicious at this time,” the agency said, noting that firefighters found multiple areas in the home where the fire may have been ignited.

“Due to the proximity of homes to one another on this street, the early call to 911 possibly prevented this fire from spreading to neighboring properties,” the agency said.

The San Rafael Police CSI team is assisting the Marin County Fire Investigation Team in the investigation.

Neighbors told authorities the home hasn’t been occupied in months.

The home was “severely overloaded with contents,” the SRFD said.

PG&E responded to secure the utilities and the SRPD assisted with traffic and crowd control.