Fortuna Police Dept. Press Release:

On December 31, 2012 at about 4:14 am, Fortuna Police received a 9-1-1 call from a resident in the 1500 block of Rohnerville Road who reported that she was awoken by a smoke alarm activation and found that her home was filled with smoke. Upon officers arrival the entire southwest corner of the home was engulfed in flames and smoke.

 

The first officer on scene immediately progressed towards the home and assisted with the evacuation of several children and an elderly tenant. The officer assisted with loading most of the tenants into the family’s mini-van and then drove them to a safe location. A sergeant on scene located the remaining tenant near the top of the elevated driveway and assisted the subject in walking to a safe location.

 

Due to the unknown amount of time in which the tenants remained in the home with exposure to the smoke and flames, paramedics from City Ambulance were summoned to the scene to medically evaluate the tenants. All of the tenants were subsequently evaluated and determined to be unharmed.

 

Due to the quick response and efforts of the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department many personal belongings were saved as well as a family pet.

 

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but appears to be accidental in nature.