PETALUMA, CA — A fire broke out late Monday night at a commercial building in Petaluma but the sprinkler system and fire alarm were activated, keeping the blaze contained to the part of the building where it originated, the Petaluma Fire Department said.
Firefighters were dispatched at 11:37 p.m. Monday to a report of a water flow alarm at a building in the 1300 block of Redwood Way, Petaluma FD Mike Medeiros said.
The ladder truck crew was the first on scene and found smoke coming from a large roll-up door on the north side of the building, Medeiros said. The ladder truck crew upgraded the call to a structure fire which prompted the fire department to also dispatch a battalion Chief, two engines, and two medic units.
A fire battalion chief and three engines from Rancho Adobe Fire District also responded while Wilmar Fire, Sonoma Valley Fire and Sonoma County Fire provided station coverage to ensure the city was protected.
"Within five minutes the additional crews began arriving on scene to find heavy black smoke emanating from the area of the roll-up door, as well as the roof of a one-story commercial building," Medeiros said.
"As crews worked to knock down the fire, off-gassing of carbon dioxide, most likely from electronic equipment and batteries within the structure, was noticed and monitored to ensure the safety of all emergency personnel. The sprinkler system and fire alarm were activated, keeping the fire contained within the originating area of the building."
Damages were still being evaluated early Tuesday and an investigation was underway by the Petaluma Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau.
"This incident is an opportunity to remind our citizens that having working fire alarms, carbon dioxide alarms, and sprinkler systems can be the difference in not only damage to a structure, but also in the amount of time a person, family, or coworkers have to escape in an emergency," Medeiros said.
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