Fire Damages Garage at White Chapel Drive Home

Firefighters are still trying to determine what caused a fire in the garage of a two story home in the 100 block of White Chapel Drive this morning.  The fire was reported at 10:06 a.m. and Benicia firefighters arrived on the scene of the single alarm blaze at 10:11 a.m.

There was one person in the home when the fire broke out.  Rick Perona has rented the home for three years.

“I was upstairs working,” said Perona.  “I work from home three days a week.”

Perona said her heard a sound like sand being dumped from a truck.  “I looked out the window and saw smoke,” said Perona who didn’t realize it was coming from the garage of his home until he went outside to further investigate.

“I saw the garage door closing and I saw smoke coming out of the garage,” said Perona.  He went into the garage but quickly exited and called 911 from inside the residence.

Division Chief Nick Thomas said department investigators have not determined what may have caused the fire nor have they ruled out any causes.

Firefighters using thermal detection gear determined that the fire didn’t spread through the walls of the home.

“The fire wall in the garage did its job,” said fire captain Todd Matthews.  “The damage was confined to the garage.”

Firefighters from Vallejo helped at the scene while firefighters from Fairfield provided station coverage.

Members of the Benicia Volunteer Fire Department were also on hand to support firefighters actively engaged in knocking down flames and clean up.

Firefighters haven't released damage estimates.

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