One home a total loss, another suffers major damage after fire near South Lake Tahoe

Submitted by paula on Fri, 07/05/2019 - 11:55am

MEYERS, Calif. - One house is a total loss and another suffered major damage after a 4th of July fire on Tehama Drive in Meyers.

At 9:30 p.m., a call went into Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) of a house fire. At first, the caller thought the fire to be on Seneca Drive but it turned out to be at 703 Tehama Drive.

LVFPD Battalion Chief Brad Zlendick said the fire spread to a second home next door, causing major damage to the attic and sides.

The homeowner at 703 had used their kettle-style barbeque with briquettes earlier in the day on their back deck. Zlendick said it appears some of the hot coals fell out the bottom of it onto the deck where it smoldered and ignited the fire.

Four adults, two children and two dogs had been staying in the home though just one of the adults was at home at the time. He and the animals got out safely.

Many thought they heard some sounds like explosions at the time. Even though some of those sounds could have come from illegal fireworks Zlendick said, it is possible some small propane cylinders could have caused that noise.

The fire is being called accidental and no foul play is suspected, Zlendick said.

LVFPD Chief Tim Alameda said that briquette fires are not uncommon and people need to be more careful in handling them and their disposal.

He also said they were able to respond to the fire so quickly due to extra staffing levels for the holiday. Due to the change for the fire spreading quickly, crews from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, CalFire, and Meeks Bay Fire all responded while Tahoe Douglas Fire pulled into South Lake Tahoe to cover that area. Law enforcement from El Dorado County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Forest Service were also at the scene.

Earlier in the day, LVFPD responded to a fire behind the ice cream shop at Camp Richardson. They were able to get that fire contained quickly and kept it to 20 feet x 20 feet while also rescuing a hiker at the top of Mt. Tallac who was suffering from major dehydration.