San Rafael Fire Department – PRESS RELEASE
Abraham Roman, Fire Chief
• Incident Commander: Kyle Hamilton, Battalion Chief.
• Date of Incident: Monday, May 5, 2025
• Time of Dispatch: 2:54 p.m.
• Type of Incident: Structure Fire.
• Location of Incident: 4 El Pavo Real Circle, San Rafael.
• Occupancy: Two-story single-family dwelling.
• Duration of Incident: 90 minutes.
• Fire origin: Trash cart area located in side yard.
• Damage Estimate: Unknown currently.
• Injuries: None.
• Units Assigned: One battalion chief, four engines, one ladder truck, one fire-paramedic ambulance, San Rafael Police, and PG&E.
INCIDENT SUMMARY
Fire dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting a fence on fire. Callers stated the flames were spreading to the house and possibly nearby trees.
When firefighters arrived, they found a fire burning outside the home, involving trash carts, a side-yard fence & gate, and surrounding vegetation. Flames had also spread up the home’s exterior wood siding and were reaching under the eaves.
The first crews focused on knocking down the fire outside, while additional firefighters entered the home to search for occupants and check for fire spread inside. It was quickly confirmed that all residents had safely evacuated.
Fire had reached the attic directly above the exterior fire, affecting the primary bedroom. Firefighters removed ceiling drywall and attic insulation, revealing active fire on the underside of the original wooden roof. The fire is believed to have entered the attic through an attic vent. Crews extinguished the attic fire from inside the bedroom.
Extinguishing the fire proved challenging due to the home’s roofing construction. A newer metal shingle roof had been installed over the original wood shingle roof, creating a hidden void space. Fire spread through the dry wood shingles in this area. Crews used saws to cut ventilation holes in the metal roof and remove sections to access the fire. A hose line was used to fully extinguish the burning wood shingles.
Once it was confirmed that the fire was extinguished, firefighters worked diligently to contain damage, preserve property and valuables, and restore the home to the best condition possible.