Fast-moving fire destroys home in Petaluma, forces evacuations

PETALUMA, Calif. - Fire destroyed a home in Petaluma on Tuesday, forcing as many as 900 people to evacuate. Crews remain at the scene to put out hot spots. 

As many as 12-acres burned as the fire spread to nearby vegetation under relatively calm conditions. 

The Petaluma Fire Department said the fire broke out at a residence in the 400 block of Ormsby Lane at around 2:30 p.m. 

Fire officials said flames moved west, which prompted evacuations for the areas of Penngrove, North of Corona Road, South of Old Redwood Highway, East of Petaluma city limits, and West of Adobe Road.

Though it's not a good idea, residents attempted to help battle the fire with their own hoses from home. Aircraft and 50 tankers were brought in due to concerns of the ongoing drought amid a severe fire season. 

The forward progress of on the fire stopped just before 3 p.m. Firefighters are looking for flare ups and are making sure every ember is doused. By evening the evacuees were allowed to return home. 

No one was home when the fire started, but family members who tried to return, came back to nothing. 

"It's gone. The house is gone. Burned down," said homeowner Judy Burggraff.  The family lost everything. Five people lived in the home

Neighbors alerted arriving crews to pet dogs, who were rescued. At least one firefighter suffered burns rescuing the dogs. The firefighter was treated and released from the hospital. 

KTVU's Debora Villalon and Tom Vacar contributed to this story.