Stray embers from a woodstove fire may have been the cause of a full-alarm fire that completely destroyed a home on Monday, Dec. 11. Lake County Fire Protection District (LCFPD) responded to an address on 36th Avenue shortly before noon to find the singlewide mobile home fully engulfed in flames.
Suppression efforts were hindered by a downed powerline and fire personnel was unable to save any portion of the structure. The team, did however, manage to prevent the fire from spreading to a neighboring home.
Homeowner Carol Melvin reported that her tenant had been building a fire in the woodstove when an ember popped out of the unit and ignited a fire. LCFPD Battalion Willie Sapeta said investigators will examine the scene and determine if there is any evidence to confirm the report. “What our investigators will do is see if the burn pattern is consistent with what (Melvin) was saying,” he stated.
Suppression of the fire was delayed due to a powerline that was dropped across a wooden fence in front of the home. “A downed powerline compromised our attack.” Sapeta continued, pointing to the wooden fence the line had fallen on, “The line fell on the fence and see what happens when the wood is wet, the entire fence becomes electrified.”
The fire had presented a threat to the neighboring home, which is also owned by Melvin. Damage to the second structure was limited to minor charring of the roof”s eave. Melvin did report that a race car that had been parked behind the mobile home had been lost.
Melvin went on to commend the quick response of the fire department citing that damage could have been far worse. “We owe a humongous thank you” to the fire department,” Melvin said. “These guys are awesome.”
No injuries were reported in the incident. Additional response was provided by PG&E, who secured the down powerline.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
