A fire caused major damage to a two-story townhouse in Marinwood on Friday, according to the San Rafael Fire Department.

The fire was reported at 12:48 p.m. at 103 Grande Paseo in Marinwood, an unincorporated area north of San Rafael. Fire officials said a nearby plumbing crew saw the flames and knocked on the door to alert the people inside.

The Marinwood Fire Department works the scene of a fire at 103 Grande Paseo in Marinwood on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (Marinwood Fire Department via Bay City News)

Two residents and their dog were able to get out safely. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes and caused major damage to the townhouse, which was deemed uninhabitable. An adjoining townhouse had minor damage but the residents there were allowed to return, according to the Fire Department.

Investigators said the fire began on a second-floor patio above a garage and extended into the wall and roof of the home. Its cause is under investigation.

Dan McMenamin is the managing editor at Bay City News, directing daily news coverage of the 12-county greater Bay Area. He has worked for BCN since 2008 and has been managing editor since 2014 after previously serving as BCN’s San Francisco bureau reporter. A UC Davis graduate, he came to BCN after working for a newspaper and nonprofit in the Davis area. He handles staffing, including coaching of our interns, day-to-day coverage decisions and management of the newswire.