San Rafael Fire Department – PRESS RELEASE
Abraham Roman, Fire Chief
• Incident Commander: Kyle Hamilton, Battalion Chief.
• Date of Incident: Thursday, May 22, 2025
• Time of Dispatch: 1:34 p.m.
• Type of Incident: Structure fire.
• Location of Incident: 400 Smith Ranch Rd, San Rafael. (see red arrow)
• Occupancy Type: San Rafael Airport. Commercial warehouse type building.
• Duration of Incident: 3 hours 45 minutes.
• Fire Origin: Not determined at this time.
• Fire Cause: Under investigation.
• Damage Estimate: Unknown currently.
• Injuries: None.
• Units/Resources Assigned: Second Alarm: Four battalion chiefs, six engines, two ladder trucks, one fire-paramedic ambulance, San Rafael Police, San Rafael Building Inspection staff, PG&E, and the Marin County Fire Investigation Team (MCFIT).
INCIDENT SUMMARY
Firefighters responded to a report of a building fire located on the grounds of the San Rafael Airport. Upon arrival, crews saw smoke and fire coming from an approximately 5,000 square foot metal commercial storage structure. Crews were concerned as, in addition to the building on fire, there were several storage structures and airplane hangars within immediate proximity. Once ensuring nobody was inside the building, the primary objectives were to control the quickly growing fire and protect the adjacent structures. A second alarm was sounded by the incident commander which summoned additional engines, command and support staff.
It took firefighters approximately 45 minutes to contain the fire and ensure it would not spread beyond the building of origin. The fire was declared fully under control approximately 30 minutes later. The process of extensive overhaul, building stabilization and getting to the seat of the fire to ensure complete extinguishment then commenced.
As this was occurring, members from the Marin Fire Investigation Team (MCFIT) arrived to develop an investigation strategy. San Rafael Building inspectors ensured that investigators could safety enter the building. San Rafael PD, along with crowd and traffic management, deployed their investigators who work with MCFIT.
There were two separate landscaping businesses operating from the building. Unfortunately, the contents appear to be a total loss.
