8 People Escape Fire That Nearly Destroys Vacation House In Sonoma Valley

SONOMA VALLEY, CA -- Eight occupants escaped a fire that destroyed more than half of a three-story vacation rental house in Sonoma Valley early Sunday morning, Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority Chief Steve Akre said.

Four couples were awoken by the fire in the Diamond A residential area in the hills of western Sonoma Valley just before 1:30 a.m. May 21, according to the fire authority.

Firefighters arrived in nine minutes and controlled the fire in about an hour. Firefighters from Kenwood, Glen Ellen, Schell-Vista, Cal Fire and Petaluma provided mutual aid and most units left the scene at 7:30 a.m.

Most of the guests lost their belongings and identification in the fire. The cause and origin of the blaze are still under investigation, Akre said Monday morning.

The vacation rental is a total loss, fire officials said.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Images via Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority