SANTA ROSA, CA – A fire Tuesday night severely damaged Press Cleaners, a dry cleaning business located in the Calistoga Road shopping center off State Highway 12. The Santa Rosa Fire Department responded swiftly to the emergency, which was reported around 8:15 p.m.
According to Battalion Chief Paul Ricci, the first engine company arrived at the scene in under two minutes and discovered a fire on the roof of the business. The engine company quickly requested additional resources and began efforts to extinguish the blaze by deploying a ladder to access the roof.
Meanwhile, firefighters from the truck company cut a hole in the roof to help ventilate the building, allowing smoke and heat to escape. Despite the challenges posed by the fire, five engine crews worked together to bring the fire under control within 30 minutes.
“There was extensive damage inside Press Cleaners,” said Ricci, confirming that the building had suffered significant harm. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the fire did not spread beyond the dry cleaning business.
Although the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Ricci indicated that it appears to have been accidental.
Firefighters were praised for their quick response and coordination, which likely prevented further destruction to the shopping center and surrounding properties. As of now, there has been no official statement from Press Cleaners regarding the extent of the damage or plans for reopening.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and the critical role of first responders in protecting the community from potentially devastating situations.