Electrical Fire Hits Downtown Apartment Building

An electrical fire spread to a nearby apartment building in downtown San Rafael overnight, forcing the brief evacuation of residents but causing no major damage or injuries, San Rafael Police Chief Christopher Gray said.

Firefighters received a call at 1:30 a.m. of a structure fire at 999 C St., a multi-story apartment complex above the restaurant, which fronts on Fourth Street. Firefighters evacuated four residents from the building when they arrived and discovered a fire on the outside of the building. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, and damage was limited to smoke and fire on the wall and exterior portion of the building. Some smoke entered the building, Gray said.

Investigators determined that the fire originated from overloaded electrical service panel serving the adjacent Open Secret Bookstore at 923 C Street, according to Gray. Firefighters saw sparks at the panel when they arrived.

“The fire and sparks from the electrical service ignited combustible debris in the alley between the building and the adjacent one occupied by the restaurant, Sabor de Spain,” Gray said. “The fire quickly spread vertically from the ground to the wood siding of the 4th and C street building and threatened the apartment units and residents above.”

The fire resistant construction beneath the combustible wood siding was intact and kept the fire from spreading, he added.

Occupants from the apartments were allowed to return early this morning.

PG&E responded and secured the electrical service to Open Secret, whose owner was advised to contact an electrician and the cityt for necessary repairs to the electrical service.