Fire Department Press Release – 550 Canal St 06-16-2026

San Rafael Fire Department - PRESS RELEASE

Abraham Roman, Fire Chief

• Incident Commander: Kyle Hamilton, Battalion Chief
• Date of Incident: June 16, 2026. Time of Dispatch: 2:23 p.m.
• Location of Incident: 550 Canal St, San Rafael, CA
• Type of Incident: Structure fire
• Occupancy Type: 21-unit three story apartment complex
• Damage Estimate: Not determined at this time
• Mutual Aid: Central Marin Fire Department & Southern Marin Fire District
• Resources Assigned: 4 chief officers, 4 engines, 2 ladder trucks, 1 paramedic ambulance, Fire Aerial Drone Unit, San Rafael Police, San Rafael Parking Services, the San Rafael Building Division, San Rafael Housing Division, PG&E, San Rafael Emergency Management, Marin County Emergency Management, and the American Red Cross.

San Rafael, CA - Firefighters responded to a structure fire at a residential apartment complex, where crews arrived to find an active fire in the building's carport area.

Initial observations indicated the fire originated in a storage closet and extended into the adjacent carport. Two vehicles parked nearby were also involved.

As first-arriving firefighters worked to control the flames in the carport, additional fire companies advanced to the upper floor to assist with evacuating residents, ensuring no occupants were trapped or injured, and addressing fire extension into a second-floor unit directly above the point of origin.

Firefighters brought the incident under control in approximately 20 minutes. Damage was limited to a relatively small portion of the structure, with the majority of the building spared from significant fire impact. However, the fire caused substantial damage to electrical wiring and water piping, rendering the building temporarily uninhabitable until necessary repairs are completed.

Approximately 85 residents live in the complex and may require temporary shelter. The building owner is actively working to complete emergency repairs.

Fire Chief Abraham Roman is coordinating staff from multiple City of San Rafael departments, including the City Manager's Office, Housing Division, and Building Division, to restore occupancy to all but three of the units affected by the fire. Residents unable to return to their homes will be accommodated at an emergency shelter.

The American Red Cross, in coordination with the San Rafael Office of Emergency Management and Marin County Office of Emergency Management, will assist any displaced residents.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. There were no injuries.

PIO Contact:

Robert Sinnott, Deputy Fire Chief-Deputy Fire Marshal

415-485-5067 (desk)

[email protected]

Fire Department Press Release - 550 Canal St 06-16-2026