Madison Smalstig – The Press Democrat
A Sonoma resident was hospitalized early Sunday after inhaling smoke from a fire that caused major damage to about half of her home, according to a fire official.
The Schell-Vista Fire Protection District responded about 5:45 a.m. to a woman reporting a fire in her single-family single-story home on Old Winery Road, near East Napa Street, district fire engineer John Velasquez said.
Firefighters arrived within seven minutes and saw flames and smoke coming out of the south side of the home. The woman and a dog had already evacuated and she was taken to Sonoma Valley Hospital as a precautionary measure, Velasquez said.
Crews contained the fire in 15 minutes — confining the flames to the bedroom and connecting hallway — and extinguished it in about 45. For just over two more hours, firefighters cleaned up the site and put out hot spots.
It’s unclear how much it will cost to repair the damage from the smoke, fire and water will cost. Valesquez said it is likely that the woman, who is believed to be the sole resident, will be displaced. The American Red Cross will offer her some resources.
Fire investigators are still determining the cause but Velasquez said it does not appear to be arson. The Sonoma Valley Fire District and Cal Fire assisted in the response.
