Update: Sonoma’s Illusions Lighting burns

No injuries; fire officials investigating cause.|

A two-alarm fire ripped through the Illusions Lighting Design building on Eighth Street East in Sonoma Tuesday afternoon, sending black smoke billowing into the sky that was visible from downtown.

The blaze broke out around 3:30 p.m., devastating the 9,000-square-foot concrete building at 19666 8th St. East. Firefighters from several agencies battled the fire, which was contained around 5:30 p.m., according to Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue Authority Battalion Chief Jim Comisky.

One person was in the building at the time, Comisky said. The occupant escaped unscathed, and no one was injured and no surrounding buildings were affected by the blaze, though children at the Montessori School across the street sheltered in place as a precaution.

Illusions Lighting Design is an event production company that services events such as weddings, including the wedding of Sonoma City Councilwoman Rachel Hundley. The family-owned company, run by Larry Ginesi, his wife Claire and sons Chris and Tony, has been around since 2004, Larry Ginesi said Wednesday.

Firefighters from the Schell-Vista Fire Protection District, the Kenwood Fire Protection District, Petaluma Fire Department, Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue Authority, City of Napa Fire, Cal Fire and Napa County Fire responded as well, with a total of 19 units on the scene.

Fire officials are investigating the cause of the blaze.

Reach Janis Mara at janis.mara@sonomanews.com.

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