This Marin County blog post pulls together several recent incidents and planning decisions that are affecting San Rafael and neighboring towns like Novato, Larkspur, Belvedere, and Sausalito.
There’s a two-alarm fire in San Rafael’s Canal district, a high-BAC hit-and-run in Novato, a traffic mess on I-580, and new zoning approvals in downtown San Rafael. All these pieces give a snapshot of how local public safety, transportation, and development are shaping daily life across Marin County.
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Two-alarm fire in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood tied to suspected welding
A suspected welding accident started a two-alarm fire on Wednesday afternoon at 55 Larkspur St. in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood. The fire damaged the interior and roof of a construction company’s space and affected nearby businesses.
The San Rafael Fire Department said the blaze began around 3:30 p.m. Firefighters rushed in to control the flames and stop them from spreading to other buildings.
One person had minor injuries. Investigators are still figuring out the total cost of the damage.
People living and working in the Canal district have been on alert this spring for welding and metalwork hazards, especially in this busy commercial area. The fire led to temporary closures and a pause in operations while crews checked how bad the damage was.
Impact on Canal district businesses and safety precautions
- Damaged properties: The fire hit the construction company’s interior and roof, and nearby businesses felt the effects too.
- Public safety: Firefighters kept the scene contained; no mass evacuations, just the usual safety perimeter.
- Investigations: Officials say welding likely caused the fire, but they’re still looking into it with San Rafael authorities.
Novato man bail denied in alleged hit-and-run with high BAC
In Novato, Ernesto Carrillo Con, 26, didn’t get a bail reduction after his arraignment on charges tied to a suspected hit-and-run. The case involves a Nissan Altima rollover on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road.
Officers say Carrillo Con left the scene, leaving an injured passenger behind. His blood-alcohol level tested at 0.21% after the crash.
Prosecutors argued against his release, pointing to his past with intoxicated driving. Judge Kevin Murphy kept bail at $50,000 while the arraignment and plea process moved forward.
The Novato area and the North Bay have seen similar incidents lately, so prosecutors and community safety advocates in San Rafael, San Anselmo, and Tiburon are watching closely.
Case details and next steps
- Status: Bail stays at $50,000; arraignment and plea hearing continued.
- Allegations: Hit-and-run after a rollover crash; passenger was injured.
- Safety considerations: Prosecutors highlighted his prior DUI history as a reason to keep bail high.
Eastbound I-580 lane near the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge closed after crash
Traffic on the eastbound side of I-580 near the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge came to a halt after a vehicle hit an undercrossing. Caltrans then restricted movement from the toll plaza to Stenmark Drive.
Caltrans crews are checking for structural damage, but there’s still no word on when the road will reopen. This kind of incident just adds to the ongoing worries about road safety and maintenance for Marin commuters, especially those traveling between big corridors and cities like San Rafael and Corte Madera.
Implications for Marin commuters
- Detours and delays: Drivers heading toward Richmond, San Rafael, and points east should expect some delays while crews figure things out.
- Caltrans response: They’re still assessing the damage, and there’s no set reopening timeline yet.
- Alternatives: It’s probably smart to allow extra travel time and maybe use north–south detours through Larkspur or Sausalito if you can.
San Rafael planning office clears shell of new beer and wine sales; several business permits approved
The San Rafael planning office just approved a permit for beer and wine sales at the Shell station at 834 Irwin St. in downtown San Rafael.
The permit sets hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. It doesn’t allow drinking on-site and bans alcohol ads on the property.
They’ll still need a state alcohol license. If nobody appeals within five days, the permit kicks in March 26 and lasts two years.
The zoning administrator also signed off on a few other permits:
- Vehicle rentals at a Tesla repair shop on Du Bois St.
- A small Guatemalan restaurant at 86 Belvedere St.
- An auto-detailing business at 36 Belvedere St.
Here is the source article for this story: In Your Town for March 20, 2026
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