Fire Marshal Says May 31 Garage Blaze Accidental, Electrical

The that briefly blackened the sky near downtown Novato on May 31 was accidental in nature and caused by an electrical problem, according to the .

A freezer or the electrical source for the freezer is believed to be the cause of a two-alarm fire at 1820 Virginia Ave. estimated at $140,000 in damages, said Battalion Chief Bill Tyler, Novato's fire marshal.

"Our main concern is to determine whether a fire was intentionally set for not and which material ignited with what ignition source," he said. "We've determined this was accidental and that it had something to do with the freezer."

The three-car garage, detached from the home, was about 1,000 square feet and contained welding equipment, tanks of acetylene gas and spray paint containers, Tyler said. He added that the loud booms heard throughout the neighborhood just west of the downtown area were probably the spray paint containers exploding or the tires from either nearby vehicles or a boat trailer next to the garage.

The acetylene gas cylinders were leaking because of the fire's heat and caused a shrill whistling sound, he said.

"The acetylene tanks didn't blow. They were very lucky," Tyler said of the residents.

A man who lived at the home moved three vehicles away from the fire right after the blaze was discovered, but a boat on a trailer couldn't be moved in time. Tyler said the garage would cost about $100,000 to replace and the contents another $40,000.

Tyler said the warmer weather is a reminder that fire season is approaching and to be wary of storing combustible materials anywhere electrical outlets or pilot lights. He said citizens should dispose of oily rags away from heat sources and read the safety warnings on product labels.

"Always do your best to try and keep things like that separated," he said.