South Lake Tahoe, CA…January 12, 2013 at 12:30 PM South Lake Tahoe Fire Department responded to multiple reports of a structure fire in Pioneer Village. Engine 2 arrived and gave an initial incident size up of moderate smoke coming from the left or Bravo side of the building. South Lake Tahoe Police were already on scene and at the source of the smoke with their fire extinguishers. Engine 2 got a report from the officers and then took command. A 1 ¾ fire attack hose was pulled and a water supply secured from a hydrant across the street. Engine companies 1 and 3 then took over fire attack and extinguished the visible fire and started to look for fire extension.

The fire was started by fire place ash being placed on the deck. The smoldering embers allowed fire to creep behind the exterior siding and down into the deck structure. The engine companies removed paneling and deck boards, and with the help of a Thermal Imaging Camera were able to find the full extent of fire damage and make sure there were no more live embers. There was minimal damage to the structure and no intrusion into the interior so the occupants were allowed to stay in the house. After one hour on scene fighting the fire and then cleaning up all the units cleared.

This fire took all the fire resources in the City and both Lake Valley Fire Protection District and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District moved units into the City to cover our calls. Even with this extra coverage multiple calls required SLTFD medic 3 to leave the scene to cover another emergency.

###