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San Rafael Apartment Fire Deemed Suspicious as Body Found at Canal Street Complex

Federal and county investigators are searching the site with cadaver and accelerant-detection dogs as two residents remain unaccounted for.

Overview

  • The pre-dawn blaze at 516 Canal St. destroyed all 19 units and was brought under control in about 90 minutes with help from multiple agencies.
  • Eight people were injured, including at least one seriously, and some residents escaped by jumping toward the San Rafael Creek.
  • Roughly 50 to 60 residents were displaced, and an emergency shelter is operating at the Albert J. Boro Community Center.
  • A body was discovered Friday at the back of the complex, and authorities have not yet identified the person or confirmed any link to the missing residents.
  • ATF and Marin County fire investigators are treating the cause as suspicious, using specialized dogs and requesting photos or videos from the public as the cause remains undetermined and no arrests have been reported.