San Rafael Fire Department – PRESS RELEASE
Abraham Roman, Fire Chief
- Incident Commander: Kyle Hamilton, Battalion Chief.
- Date of Incident: Thursday, August 21, 2025
- Time of Dispatch: 5:36 a.m.
- Type of Incident: Structure fire.
- Location of Incident: 516 Canal St, San Rafael.
- Occupancy Type: 19-unit, three-story wood frame apartment complex.
- Duration of Incident: Ongoing
- Fire Cause: Under investigation.
- Damage Estimate: Unknown currently.
- Injuries: Eight residents – minor to moderate. Additionally, two residents continue to be unaccounted for.
- Units/Resources Assigned at Scene: Fire chief, one deputy chief, four battalion chiefs, six engines, two ladder trucks, three fire-paramedic ambulances, Fire Boat San Rafael, Fire Drone “Big Mac”, multiple fire inspectors/investigators from various Marin fire agencies, multiple San Rafael Police officers & support staff, CA Highway Patrol, Marin Sheriffs Department ( drone support), San Rafael Parking Services (for traffic control), MMWD &PG&E.
- Resources Assigned to Emergency Shelter and Assistance Center: San Rafael City Manager’s Office, San Rafael Emergency Management, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Marin County Office of Emergency Services, Marin County Health & Human Services, The Canal Alliance, Sonoma County Office of Emergency Management, St. Vincent De Paul Society, The Marin Community Foundation, and San Rafael City Schools.
INCIDENT SUMMARY
On August 21, 2025 at 5:36 a.m., fire crews responded to a structure fire at 516 Canal Street. Upon arrival from stations just blocks away, firefighters found a three-story, 19-unit apartment building heavily involved in flames. The incident escalated to a second alarm, mobilizing all San Rafael resources as well as additional fire units & resources from across Marin County.
Upon arrival, residents were fleeing the building, with several forced to jump from upper-floor windows and balconies. Firefighters prioritized life safety, assisting residents in need of rescue. San Rafael police officers also played a critical role, helping people escape and move to safety.
Once life safety operations were complete, fire crews focused on containing the blaze. Their efforts successfully prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent multistory, multi-family buildings. The fire was brought under control in approximately 90 minutes and declared fully extinguished around noon.
Eight residents sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate. At the time of this release, two individuals remain unaccounted for.
The fire displaced 55 residents, all of whom lost their possessions. The San Rafael Emergency Management Division quickly established a temporary shelter and assistance facility at the nearby Al Boro Community Center. San Rafael police coordinated local transportation to relocate displaced residents to the shelter.
This was a fast-moving fire that displaced dozens of our residents. Our first priority was life safety, and thanks to the swift actions of firefighters, police, and mutual aid partners, we were able to evacuate residents quickly. We are now focused on supporting those impacted and ensuring they have the resources they need.
The Marin County Fire Investigation Unit has launched a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire.
PIO: Deputy Fire Chief Robert Sinnott
415-485-5067
robert.sinnott@cityofsanrafael.org
