Hot air balloon lands in downtown Santa Rosa

A hot air balloon landed in downtown Santa Rosa on Thursday morning near the Sears Auto Center parking lot.

Viewer Jim Moorhouse sent video taken while he was driving of the odd sight to KTVU. Witnesses said that it was clear the balloon operator was trying to look for an open spot when he landed at South A and First streets about 9:45 a.m.

The balloon landed in a parking lot near the Sears Auto Center at 98 Santa Rosa Plaza, Sgt. Jeneane Kucker said.

The balloon landed around 9:45 a.m., according to Jose Alcala, manager of the Sears Auto Center.

There were two or three people on board and several people on the ground following the balloon, Alcala said.

The balloon was deflated and picked up by a vehicle about 20 minutes after it landed, he said.

Kucker said no injuries were reported.