CLEARLAKE PARK — Lake County Fire Protection District was called out in the middle of the night for a fire at the corner of Arrowhead Road and Country Club Drive. The fire ignited at a construction site where a home is being built to replace one that had burned a few years ago.
The fire was reported by a neighbor around 2:43 a.m. Thursday morning. “When the tire on the backhoe blew, somebody must have heard it and called the fire department,” said Tony Bordessa.
This time, the house escaped unharmed, but damages are estimated at $30,000 for loss of construction equipment and building supplies.
Tony Bordessa Construction is offering a $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for the fire, which has been as “suspicious.”
While investigating the site, a hose was discovered that apparently had been used to siphon gas from one of the construction vehicles parked near the fire”s origin.
“It”s unbelievable. It”s just ridiculous that someone had to do this to steal gasoline,” laborer Carl Poni said, adding that a $400 loss was sustained in the loss of his personal tool bag alone. “There”s no reason for them to steal it. Tony is really generous and probably would have given them the gas. Now the whole job is shut down and we”re losing wages. They would have been better off just to ask.”
The fire ignited outside a con-ex storage box that contained construction equipment and tools. “The heat from the fire literally melted most of the equipment inside the storage container,” Bordessa said.
The fire also ignited a tire on a backhoe tractor and building supplies that were stacked outside the storage box.
According to a report prepared by LCFPD Battalion Chief George Murch, the fire is under investigation due to suspicious circumstances. Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Officer Dominic Ramirez at the Clearlake Police Department, 994-8251.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
