At 5:36 a.m. on August 21, 2025, the San Rafael Fire Department responded to a major structure fire at 516 Canal Street. The cause of the fire, originally listed as undetermined, is now classified as suspicious. Today, investigators located a deceased victim on the back side of the apartment complex. We do not know the identity of the victim, and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office will be responsible for making the identification and notifying the next of kin. Once that process is completed, the name of the decedent will be released, and we do not have a timeline on that process. We send our condolences to the families affected by this tragedy, and ask that everyone please be respectful and patient of the process.  

Additionally, we are continuing to work on locating the two adults who were reported missing. We cannot conclude that the decedent is either of the missing persons at this time.  

Investigators are working with the Marin County Fire Investigation Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which has provided significant personnel and infrastructure support.  

We are specifically asking for videos or photos that were taken between 5:30 and 5:45am. Please send videos to ATF at www.reportit.com or through the “ReportIt.com” app.

Between 50 and 60 residents were displaced. The City, working with partners including Canal Alliance, Marin Community Foundation, Red Cross, Salvation Army, San Rafael City Schools, Marin County Health & Human Services, Marin County Public Health, the Marin County Office of Emergency Management, and the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, is providing shelter and case management support through the weekend. Staff are working with displaced residents to help them secure long-term housing.   

The community is asked not to send physical donations. Both the Canal Alliance and Marin Community Foundation are collecting monetary donations. Contribute at  https://donate.canalalliance.org/campaign/718853/donate and https://donationcenter.marincf.org/fund/57.  

“Thank you to our first responders and community partners. I want to call on the community to provide support for our neighbors as they rebuild their lives after this tragedy. If you can make a donation – please do,” said Mayor Kate Colin.

Crews from three nearby fire stations arrived within minutes and immediately began rescues while working to contain the blaze. The fire was brought under control in approximately 90 minutes with the assistance of every SRFD unit, including the fire boat, and mutual aid from nearly every fire agency in Marin County. CHP, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, Novato Police, Central Marin Police, and the Marin Fire Investigations Team also responded. 

For safety reasons, members of the public are asked to avoid the area unless they are residents.