Two Injured As Fire Guts Fairfax Townhouse in Sunday Night Blaze

A blaze gutted a Fairfax townhouse Sunday night, sending two residents to the hospital for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation.

Ross Valley Battalion Chief Jim Hanson said an aggressive attack by firefighters prevented substantial damage to residences adjoining the burning unit at 4 Penny Lane in the Canon Village complex off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.

Capt. Gavin Illingworth, based at the Fairfax station, immediately called a second alarm after arriving shortly after 10 p.m. to find flames shooting from the "entire front of the building," Hanson reported.

"Our guys did an aggressive attack," Hanson said. "They just did a terrific job."

Fire crews knocked down the blaze in 27 minutes. Quenching the fire required "extensive work on the roof of the building" to make sure it didn't spread, he added.

A countywide investigation team was called in to assist in determining how the fire started.

In all, 11 engines and three ambulances convened. Several people were treated and released at the scene after inhaling smoke, and neighbors on either side of the charred unit were displaced.

Damage was substantial. "It was heavy," Hanson said. "It will have to be gutted and rebuilt." Townhouse units in the complex are valued at more than $500,000.

Article and images originally published by Marin IJ.