1 year after San Rafael apartment fire killed 2, families wait for answers in arson investigation

One year after a deadly apartment fire in San Rafael killed two women and two cats, the investigation into what happened remains ongoing, with the victims' families still waiting for answers.

The fire at 516 Canal St. was determined to be arson. But one year later, no one has been identified as responsible.

Tracey Lowmiller's partner, Chris Dadar, met for an interview at a baseball field in San Rafael, a fitting place, he said, because Tracey was born in Cooperstown, New York.

"And if you knew Tracey," Dadar said, "you knew where she was from. New York tough. She was funny, smiley, but she had that New York style. You could pick that up from a mile away."

Aug. 21, 2025, is a day now seared in Dadar's mind.

He said Tracey had decided to stay at her apartment at 516 Canal St., in part because she was helping care for a rescued cat.

Dadar lived about a mile away. He woke up that Thursday morning to the smell of fire and decided to head toward the smoke.

He found Tracey's apartment completely engulfed in flames.

It would be days before Tracey and her neighbor, Pamela Scoggins, were identified. Both women were killed, along with two of Tracey's cats.

"The fire went up on all sides," Dadar said. "It was a miracle San Rafael Fire were able to save who they could. It's just insane, mind-boggling."

For Dadar, the anniversary was an opportunity to honor Tracey. But it was also a chance to speak publicly about the family's frustration with the ongoing investigation.

He said he understands investigations take time, but said being one year out from the fire without answers about who started it or why has been devastating.

"We are trying to do like she would have done if this were any one of us," Dadar said. "She would have gone even harder than us. She was about justice. What's right, what's fair."

The fire also displaced families in a city already facing significant housing challenges.

One year later, what remains of the apartment complex sits vacant.

Dadar said he believes the community deserves answers about what happened.

"This is an historic event in Marin, in one of the only opportunity zones we have on the map. Prime real estate right on the water," he said. "We don't know what happened, but the fact it's been a year and we haven't heard anything from the owner, it makes you wonder."

CBS Bay Area reached out to the owner of the property at 516 Canal St., but did not hear back.

San Rafael police also provided an update on the investigation.

Sergeant Justin Graham said the Marin County Fire Investigation Team is still awaiting lab results from evidence collected at the scene.

Graham said it is not uncommon for lab results to take this long because of backlogs and said no final fire investigation report has been issued.

Dadar emphasized that he and the family are grateful for the work that has been done on the case.

He also thanked the San Rafael community for supporting the family throughout what has been an incredibly difficult year.