One arrested for arson and other charges after South Lake Tahoe house fire

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A South Lake Tahoe man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and vandalism after a fire broke out at his home near the corner of Larch and Figueroa Saturday night.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) was dispatched to the home at 8:31 p.m. on August 6. Upon arrival, they found the home fully involved with fire, with flames along the rear of the home and heavy smoke at the front, according to Battalion Chief Tyler Jack.

They stopped the fire from spreading to any other structures and it was put out quickly. Jack said there were no injuries, and "it was a good stop."

SLTFR had help from Lake Valley Fire and CalFIRE, for a total of six engines on the scene. Tahoe Douglas Fire and North Tahoe Fire helped cover the other while engines were committed to the fire. They cleaned up after the fire was out and left at midnight.

The home was unoccupied at the time.

A 22-year-old man, Marlon Salinas Alvarado, was arrested at the scene and charged first with felony aggravated assault/obstruction and resisting an officer. Officers with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) contacted Alvarado and asked him to leave the area of an active fire. At the time they did not know he was affiliated with the home. SLTPD asked to back up and move away, but when Alvardo failed to do so he was arrested on the obstruction charges.

After work Saturday by arson/fire investigators and detectives, it was learned Alvardo lived in the home with one other person. They uncovered evidence that led them to arrest the suspect for arson. The investigators also determined he allegedly vandalized a neighbor's vehicle.

Alvarado was already in the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe on the original charges so SLTPD added the arson and vandalism charges. He is currently in jail on a $200,000 bail hold.

SLTPD will be releasing more information and a photo on Monday.