(KRON) A fire destroyed 4 homes and damaged 14 others in Petaluma on Tuesday afternoon, now tough questions are being asked about a grove of eucalyptus trees behind the homes that burned down.
Homeowners tell KRON4’s Terisa Estacio they have long complained to Caltrans about the trees and the has failed to take action.
The fire burned through a row of houses on Stuart Drive just off of East Washington Boulevard.
Bill folla fought back tears as he talked losing his home and his cat Sweets, who died in the fire.
Folla said “yeah, i did not sleep last night.”
The home on Stuart Drive has been in Folla’s family for several decades, Bill and his brothers grew up just across the street.
The fire spread quickly from home to home and tree to tree right along Highway 101.. Eucalyptus trees are known to be highly flammable. Folla and his brothers say they have long complained about the trees which are on Caltrans property.
Another homeowner who did not want to go on camera says there was a fire recently involving the trees, she too has spoken up about trees.
A Caltrans spokesperson tells KRON4 they are researching whether there were any official maintenance requests put in for the trees.
It appears some are on private property and others on Caltrans property. Caltrans is now looking into who is responsible for the damaged trees.
As of Wednesday afternoon the cause of the fire is still under investigation.