Calif. Warehouse Fire Causes $500K in Damage

Feb. 13--A two-alarm fire at a Healdsburg commercial building and businesses Tuesday night caused more than $500,000 damage, reported Healdsburg fire officials.

The Grove Street fire burned Encore Events and Aaction Rents, reported Healdsburg Fire Chief Steve Adams.

Almost 50 firefighters from seven agencies with 12 engines responded.

The cause of the blaze remained under investigation and the county's fire investigation task force was due to the scene Wednesday morning.

The burning businesses contained a large amount of combustible items, storage piled high and several additions to the building.

That created difficulties for firefighters and it took several hours to contain the fire, but much of the building and contents were saved, said Adams.

Several 911 callers reported the fire starting at 8:12 p.m., telling dispatchers they could see heavy smoke and flames and that the roof was burning.

The first engine made it to the fire six minutes later.

Healdsburg firefighters were joined by Cloverdale, Geyserville and Windsor firefighters.

At 8:21 p.m. fire officials called for a second alarm, getting more engines and firefighters rolling from Rincon Valley, Santa Rosa and Forestville.

Officials initially called for an offensive attack on the blaze, sending firefighters inside the building.

But by 8:26 p.m. the tactic changed to a defensive fire when it was determined at least part of the building couldn't be saved, according to dispatch logs.

No one was injured, reported Adams.

Copyright 2013 - The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, Calif.