Small fire breaks out in attic furnace room at TJ Maxx in South Lake Tahoe

A fire broke out in a furnace room at the South Lake Tahoe TJ Maxx store just before 7:00 p.m. Monday night, resulting in the store filling up with smoke and water.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue personnel responded, and found the store's sprinkler system was able to keep the fire from spreading and it was contained to the one room.

The furnace was located above the store's dressing rooms. With all of the water used to put out the fire, the ceiling collapsed and created quite a mess in that portion of the store.

"Much of the floor is very wet," said SLTFR Battalion Chief Tim Spencer. "There was light smoke inside so there may be some smokey clothing."

With the freezing temperatures in South Lake Tahoe, Spencer said they had concern about frozen water. As of 8:45 p.m., they are in clean-up mode and making sure the scene is safe.

"We are ready to turn the store back to manager," said Spencer. "It's now up to the insurance and restoration companies."

Firefighters from Lake Valley Fire also responded to the store which is located at the Y.