Space Heater Starts Fire in Marin St. Apartment

A space heater that was left on inside an apartment within a 35-unit complex started a fire in San Rafael Saturday afternoon, but firefighters were able to put out the blaze before it caused much damage, fire officials said.

San Rafael firefighters were called at about 2 p.m. to a report of smoke coming from a unit on the first floor at 216 Marin St., near Gerstle Memorial Park, according to the fire department.

Firefighters found the building's management office filled with smoke. Once inside the unit, fire crews found a space heater that had been left on and had ignited combustibles nearby. Firefighters put out the fire and removed the smoke from the unit.

The fire caused smoke damage inside the office and to a carpeted area in the building, according to the fire department.

No injuries were reported.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.