A raging fire burned Healdsburg’s
downtown post office Saturday afternoon, likely rendering it a
total loss Saturday evening.
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Dark black smoke from the fire, which was spotted
by passersby just after 5 p.m., was billowing from the Center
Street building as firefighters arrived.
by passersby just after 5 p.m., was billowing from the Center
Street building as firefighters arrived.
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“Smoke was coming out from the seams of the
roof,” said Cloverdale resident Briana Herpst, who was driving past
the post office and called emergency dispatchers. Herpst circled
the block and by the time she returned, smoke was filling sky above
the building and emergency responders had just
arrived.
roof,” said Cloverdale resident Briana Herpst, who was driving past
the post office and called emergency dispatchers. Herpst circled
the block and by the time she returned, smoke was filling sky above
the building and emergency responders had just
arrived.
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Flames poured from the roof of the post office,
which caved in about a half hour after the blaze
began.
which caved in about a half hour after the blaze
began.
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Onlookers gathered downtown to watch firefighters
try to extinguish the flames at the old-fashioned post office and
save the surrounding buildings, including North Coast Bank, which
was spared from the fire.
try to extinguish the flames at the old-fashioned post office and
save the surrounding buildings, including North Coast Bank, which
was spared from the fire.
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Firefighters from Geyserville, Cloverdale,
Windsor and Rincon Valley responded to the fire.
Windsor and Rincon Valley responded to the fire.
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The Center Street post office was beloved by many
in the community who saw it as a common area for residents who ran
into each other daily at the downtown stop. In the spring of 2008,
Postmaster Randy Fetter nearly closed the downtown location in
favor of the newer Foss Creek Circle post office. But, pressure
from local residents swayed the post office officials to keep both
in town.
in the community who saw it as a common area for residents who ran
into each other daily at the downtown stop. In the spring of 2008,
Postmaster Randy Fetter nearly closed the downtown location in
favor of the newer Foss Creek Circle post office. But, pressure
from local residents swayed the post office officials to keep both
in town.
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The Center Street post office had a leaky roof,
asbestos-laden floor tiles and old-fashioned post office boxes. The
post office pays $100,000 a year in rent and
utilities.
asbestos-laden floor tiles and old-fashioned post office boxes. The
post office pays $100,000 a year in rent and
utilities.
