Crime & Safety
Blaze on Commerce Displaces 30, Demolishes 12 Units
Police and fire officials said as of late Monday night, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A fire that engulfed the Glen Manor apartments on the corner of Commerce Boulevard and Arlen Drive in flames July 4 displaced about 30 residents from 12 units, said Lt. Jeff Taylor, a spokesperson for the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety.
Police and fire officials received several 911 calls from citizens reporting a fire at 6930 Commerce Blvd. around 4:30 p.m. Monday, Taylor said.
Emergency crews arrived to find smoke and flames coming through the roof, which later collapsed, fire officials said.
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Some of the occupants had self-evacuated before fire crews responded and firefighters evacuated the remaining residents. The fire was extinguished in two hours.
Taylor said it was unclear whether or not the fire was caused by fireworks.
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"The cause and origin is still under investigation," he said.
Following the blaze, clusters of concerned neighbors and passersby quickly filled the streets, as the fire raged for over two hours.
Leslie Mcintosh, who had come to celebrate the holiday with her family, was one of the first witnesses on the scene. Mcintosh said while walking adjacent to the complex, she noticed smoke coming from over the fence.
Upon closer inspection, she saw the smoke wafting from the rooftop of the townhomes. Mcintosh called 911 and quickly began running and knocking on doors urging people to evacuate.
"My first thought was we need to get over there and get everyone out, make sure everyone’s out and safe,” she said.
Firefighters from five area stations helped Monday afternoon to extinguish the fire, including Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Rincoln Valley, Rancho Adobe, Petaluma and Gold Ridge.
Taylor said no residents were injured, but one public safety officer reported heat exhaustion. He was treated and released, Taylor said.
Displaced residents are currently being treated by the Red Cross. Fire Marshal Dan Adam is also on scene investigating the fire, Taylor said.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety at 707-584-2600.
